This is who our writers predict to win the AFCON 2019:
Benedict Ngwenya says:
Egypt 4/1
The record seven-time champions are playing on their own backyard and the last time they hosted the tournament in 2006 they came up trumps. They head into this tournament off the back of losing the final of the last edition where they let a 1-0 lead slip to succumb 2-1 to eventual champions, Cameroon. Egyptian fans are known for subjecting opponents to hostility and they will bring their voices, lasers and intimidatory tactics to propel the likes of current two-time English Premier League top goalscorer and current Africa’s best player Mohamed Salah, Mohammed Elneny, Ahmed Hegazi and company to triumph. I foresee the hosts lifting this trophy.
Chad Nagel says:
Egypt 4/1
At first, I was torn between Morocco and Egypt, but after much thought, I’m more than convinced that Egypt will reign victorious. No country has won the AFCON more times (7) than the Pharaohs and with prolific goal-scoring machine Mohamed Salah – the best player on the continent in my opinion – along with home advantage, it’s difficult to imagine any other team taking it. Egypt have lost only twice in their last 25 home games against African opponents. Yes, they’re short priced at 4/1, but that’s because the bookies are so confident. Put your money on Egypt and thank me later.
Jesse Nagel says:
Morocco 12/1
With the 2019 AFCON taking place in Egypt, the conditions and surroundings will certainly favour an Arab country, which is usually the case with African football. West Africans and Southern African countries tend to struggle in the north, which will minimize the likes of Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria’s chances. Although the host nation are overwhelming favourites, for me, Morocco are tipped to come out unscathed and become two-time winners of the African Cup of Nations. By no means are the Atlas Lions a dominant figure on the continent, but with the right players peaking at the perfect time, and with Herve Renard, a two-time winner of the AFCON, 12/1 is an excellent price which is certainly worth a punt!
Aaron Crowie says:
Morocco 12/1
Following the 2018 World Cup, I was extremely excited with the way Morocco performed despite failing to advance to the knockout stage. A final result is not always what it seems in football with the Atlas Lions failing to win any of their group stage World Cup matches but dominating from the first blow of the whistle, and that includes a 2-2 draw with European giants Spain. If Herve Renard’s team can brush up on their finishing, they might just be in with a chance of claiming their second AFCON title! The Atlas Lions topped their World Cup qualifying group unbeaten, ahead of the likes of Ivory Coast, Gabon and Mali and should give a good account of themselves in Egypt.
Banele Pikwa says:
Senegal 7/1
Senegal are second favourites in terms of the betting market. The Lions of Teranga opened the betting at a valuable 7/1 to claim the gold medal for the first time ever. The West Africans kept their head coach Aliou Cisse after some impressive performances in last year’s World Cup, where they beat Poland (2-1) and drew with Japan (2-2). As expected, Cisse’s men topped Group A in the qualifiers, finishing unbeaten and only conceding two goals. Senegal for me are the most balanced team in the tournament and they have the best defence with players like Lamine Gassama, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Wague with a solid midfield of Cheikhou Kouyate, Idrissa Gueye, not forgetting the strike force of Sadio Mane and M’Baye Niang. Coach Cisse captained the Senegalese side that reached the final in 2001 and he’s experience from that campaign can be vital in this tournament. The odds of 7/1 for such a balanced, talented side is a bargain for me, get on.
Jason Dewey says:
Morocco 12/1
We have to be honest with ourselves here; Morocco just look the right team to get the job done. In Herve Renard, they’ve got a coach who knows all too well how to win this tournament following his heroics in charge of Zambia in 2012. He’s an astute tactician and has arguably the best squad in the tournament at his disposal. Don’t be too concerned either with the fact that the Moroccans slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Gambia in the lead up to the tournament. That was a much-changed side as Renard looked to fiddle a bit as many coaches do in the weeks leading up to a major tournament. You’ll definitely want to keep an eye on the likes of Hakim Ziyech who enjoyed a breakthrough season at Ajax Amsterdam- winning the league and cup double as well as being a standout performer in their run the Champions League semi-finals. Soufiane Boufal is another to look out for. The mercurial forward thrills and frustrates in equal measure, as evidenced by his time at Southampton. If he turns it on in Egypt, he’ll certainly set a few pulses racing – 12/1 is just too tasty a price to turn down. Massive, massive value here.
