🌍⚽Sportsbet.io AFCON 2024 prediction pool discussion thread

[cryptofrka]

Emilio Nsue, the AFCON's current top goal scorer cost me a potential 3 points, those points really would have been a huge one for me, and possibly push me further on the leader. If only he had scored score that penalty, it very much likely could have been a different game entirely as the least expectation would be the Equatorial Guinea protect that goal by all their means neccesary.

I was fuming because of that 98th minute goal, I had 0-0 in the predictor - which would have been huge for me.
I went to complain to Trofo and then he told me that Superbru actually counts the overtimes as well and that my 0-0 would have needed 30 more minutes to be valid.

Such a stupid rule, basically nobody will go for draws now until the end of the tournament.

[darxiaomi]

I didnt expect Guinea Equatorial losing, in fact without seeing the game they have the chance to go trought but Nsue failed the penalty, seems like they make a very good game asides of being with one less player a large ammount of time.

[Franctoshi]

If you look at what happened to Equatorial Guinea in today's game, starting from missing the Penalty to conceiving a Red, and then the last-minute goal that changed the entire game, it is clear evidence that today wasn't their day if you check upon having the ball possession and several attempts to score, that seem to be the most heartbreaking defeat of this AFCON tournament. I would have loved to see the EQG team go far in this competition.

[Harkorede]

I didnt expect Guinea Equatorial losing, in fact without seeing the game they have the chance to go trought but Nsue failed the penalty, seems like they make a very good game asides of being with one less player a large ammount of time.

That was quite a bummer! Egypt with another unimpressive performance, and they final out, they could have just got knocked in the regular time, but congrats to Igebotz, he's got 6 points form the last 6 possible, Its still a very volatile move up and that the table, and CasperBGD should watch his too their many player coming for his crown, it's just a 6 points difference between 1st and 7th position, and there are no easy picks, an interesting competition we've got here!

[Igebotz]

The Cameroonian were the only top tie in our bracket and they gave us the easiest game ever. 0 shot on target.

Morocco are in the bracket as a potential semi-final opponent. They have not been at their world cup form, but they are still one of the best teams in the continent.

We hate playing against Arab countries; Morocco-Nigeria games are typically 50-50, but I'm not concerned about Morocco; I'm confident South Africa will knock them out to make things easier for us. Ziyech and Ambarat are unavailable for that game.

Such a stupid rule, basically nobody will go for draws now until the end of the tournament.

I went with Egypt 1-1 SC, and there are still many games that will end in a PK shootout. Don't ignore potential draws; the only thing that kills them are early red cards. Well, Superbru awarded me an exact score point for the E.Q- Guinea game. Had 0-1 SC.

but congrats to Igebotz, he's got 6 points form the last 6 possible, Its still a very volatile move up and that the table, and CasperBGD should watch his too their many player coming for his crown, it's just a 6 points difference between 1st and 7th position, and there are no easy picks, an interesting competition we've got here!

Thanks bru- Now I need Cape Verde and Senegal to shoot me to the Top today. I'm happy Egypt are out so I don't have to talk much about Salah anymore.

[un_rank]

Good victory for Guinea Aand DR Congo yesterday. Both were largely expected to lose but came out on top, two dark horses now meet in the quarter final. It came as a surprise seeing Nabi Keita come on so late, has he been injured r just did not cut it for the starting eleven?

Another set of tricky fixtures today. Would we see another upset? The hosts going through would definitely count as an upset.

- Jay -

[casperBGD]

Emilio Nsue, the AFCON's current top goal scorer cost me a potential 3 points, those points really would have been a huge one for me, and possibly push me further on the leader. If only he had scored score that penalty, it very much likely could have been a different game entirely as the least expectation would be the Equatorial Guinea protect that goal by all their means neccesary.
~snip

at least their coach reaction is now a meme for "to be stunned"
not sure if someone watched it, but it was actually as someone paused TV program when Nsue shot touched post, their coach was standing still with open mouth

lousy day yesterday, expected more from Eq Guinea, and then had a late change from 1:1 on 2:1 for Egypt match
last four matches are pretty much all with favorites, yesterday both could go on all sides

[un_rank]

at least their coach reaction is now a meme for "to be stunned"
not sure if someone watched it, but it was actually as someone paused TV program when Nsue shot touched post, their coach was standing still with open mouth

I did catch that, took him some time to process and he quickly had to switch up and start clapping to encourage his players. The cruelty and beauty of football.

then had a late change from 1:1 on 2:1 for Egypt match

Late changes which go according to the initial pick are the worst.

- Jay -

[Woodie]

I still believe this AFCON will be won by an underdog especially that the big dogs are crashing out so easily without putting up a fight..

Just saw Cape Verde get into the quarter finals and it took a defensive error that forced the goalkeeper to commit a foul which lead to the penalty and a free pass...and judging from how these penalties are coming this will be want will get the big teams out!

Otherwise my teams are still in it.. Cape Verde and Senegal and surprisingly I like how the Nigerians have managed to put their act together and finally looking threatening..just hope no more draws to shake up the Pool as competition gets closer to wrapping up!

[Harkorede]

I still believe this AFCON will be won by an underdog especially that the big dogs are crashing out so easily without putting up a fight..

Just saw Cape Verde get into the quarter finals and it took a defensive error that forced the goalkeeper to commit a foul which lead to the penalty and a free pass...and judging from how these penalties are coming this will be want will get the big teams out!

Otherwise my teams are still in it.. Cape Verde and Senegal and surprisingly I like how the Nigerians have managed to put their act together and finally looking threatening..just hope no more draws to shake up the Pool as competition gets closer to wrapping up!

On the contrary, I don't think the AFCON will be won by an underdog, to be honest a lot of big house hold names have been eliminated, but most of they have either a shitty squad or terrible chemistry all they brought to the tournament is just how their national team name is in Africa.

Cape Verde played really better than Mauritania and they deserved the win in regularly time, they were lucky by the penalty incident that ended in their favor, but goal was coming all along for them and it was just a matter of time imo.

[buwaytress]

Well, well, well, look who's gunning for the top out of nowhere climbing 8 positions? Our resident Sheriff finally doing something right and a good time to peak too with not so many games left to play (I count 8 left?).

Cape Verde is really going far aren't they? Didn't someone say earlier *cough cough* they're the weakest side in this competition? Was expecting the goals to continue tonight but it does seem that cautious approaches are returning at these KOs.

[Igebotz]

Well, well, well, look who's gunning for the top out of nowhere climbing 8 positions? Our resident Sheriff finally doing something right and a good time to peak too with not so many games left to play (I count 8 left?).

Cape Verde is really going far aren't they? Didn't someone say earlier *cough cough* they're the weakest side in this competition? Was expecting the goals to continue tonight but it does seem that cautious approaches are returning at these KOs.

The 86th-minute penalty kick denied me another exact scoreline that would have sent me to the top. If the Ivorians survive this one, I'll bet on them to win the trophy. The best losers are always lucky.

Yeah, it's their second AFCON appearance, it's okay to call them a weaker team till they win it. They've got no football history. 

[darxiaomi]

Here we go, now is a highway to championship for Ivory Coast, like ige said when you have this luck..... is difficult to stop them, is what we call the "luck of champion".

[slaman29]

$*@*($(@*# Senegal and Egypt, making me drop down from prize spots lol. Salah and Mane are such a big deal and they were the stars last tournament but I think finally we can all say now these 2 are no more something to look at in AFCON.

Here we go, now is a highway to championship for Ivory Coast, like ige said when you have this luck..... is difficult to stop them, is what we call the "luck of champion".

Yes, agreed. Sometimes this kind of rush is just all continuing until the end. Currently in Asia Cup Tajikistan is having the same craziness going on. First time in the tournament and now into the last 8, defeating big guys on big luck! But also on big play too so full respect. GL to Ivory Coast supporters!!

[buwaytress]

Hey, hey, hey. Burkina Faso wasn't as bad as suggested, but they really had to get this game started, didn't they, with that own goal. And for a long time our league leader was going to extend his lead at 1-0 but just a few mistakes and a penalty ensures I very happily claim the top -- don't care if it's only going to be for a while. Finally #1 somewhere this season. I'll savour the short-lived moment, if that's what it ends up to be!

Mali! Mali!

[Harkorede]

Here we go, now is a highway to championship for Ivory Coast, like ige said when you have this luck..... is difficult to stop them, is what we call the "luck of champion".

Yes, agreed. Sometimes this kind of rush is just all continuing until the end. Currently in Asia Cup Tajikistan is having the same craziness going on. First time in the tournament and now into the last 8, defeating big guys on big luck! But also on big play too so full respect. GL to Ivory Coast supporters!!

I don't want to take anything away from the Ivorians efforts last night but If they had not conceded that goal very early, they likely would have had much to play for or come all out aggressively, I strongly doubt they stand a chance to win the by any stretch to be honest.

----------------------

Hey, hey, hey. Burkina Faso wasn't as bad as suggested, but they really had to get this game started, didn't they, with that own goal. And for a long time our league leader was going to extend his lead at 1-0 but just a few mistakes and a penalty ensures I very happily claim the top -- don't care if it's only going to be for a while. Finally #1 somewhere this season. I'll savour the short-lived moment, if that's what it ends up to be!

Mali! Mali!

I really don't know what's up with African countries when they concede early into a game, It's often almost is as though that's the end, but getting better goal per match ratio is something I didn't expect, I believe the ratio is still well above 2.5 goals, if I'm not mistaken.

[casperBGD]

~snip
Finally #1 somewhere this season.

congrats man, can't say anything else
my fall from top spot was long story, had some good advantage, but nothing guessed right in this round
maybe atlas fighters will get that exact on my side finally, but South Africa is playing some solid football so far

nevertheless, not many games to play, will be an interesting group till the end

[Harkorede]

but South Africa is playing some solid football so far

And they've got a solid reward for it, with a 1 goal lead, but can they keep their nerves and shit together for the remaining 13 minutes plus stoppage time left in this game.

It's going to be quite a major upset if they do, and I'd be glad because it's going to be an extra advantage for Nigeria, because I'd rather Nigeria face South Africa in the semi finals, if we make it past Angola than play against Morocco.

EDIT:
That didn't take long after my post, Morocco have got themselves a redemption chance from the penalty spot  

EDIT 2: Hakimi has blown the chabce!!! Damn, now it's South Africa's game to lose!

[Igebotz]

The Cameroonian were the only top tie in our bracket and they gave us the easiest game ever. 0 shot on target.

Morocco are in the bracket as a potential semi-final opponent. They have not been at their world cup form, but they are still one of the best teams in the continent.

We hate playing against Arab countries; Morocco-Nigeria games are typically 50-50, but I'm not concerned about Morocco; I'm confident South Africa will knock them out to make things easier for us. Ziyech and Ambarat are unavailable for that game.

Full of confidence from the start and still didn't put them in the pool - AFCON doesn't care about your CAF ranking, and no country should be underestimated. This is by far the best AFCON since the 2013 AFCON. The trophy has Nigeria written all over it.

Why is CAF randomly picking Nigeria's attackers for doping tests - this is annoying, CAF is doing everything to get us kicked out again.

[slaman29]

I totally agree with Igebotz, this is the best AFCON ever. Favorites all leaving so soon. Underdogs coming up far. Goals everywhere. Still loads of drama, still loads of cheating ref (duh lol) but we are having a treat.

New winner name I think will be written on this cup!!

I don't want to take anything away from the Ivorians efforts last night but If they had not conceded that goal very early, they likely would have had much to play for or come all out aggressively, I strongly doubt they stand a chance to win the by any stretch to be honest.

100%, I think they finally learn about strategy even though it's not the most exciting thing but they want to go far, so play with strength and conserve energy for later.

South Africa through, Cape Verde through, Mali through, DR Congo through WOW