World Cup Qualification in Africa – betting prediction, odds for the Playoff matches (25.03.2022)
As in Europe and South America, qualifying matches for the World Cup begin in Africa on Friday CAF. 10 teams will fight in first and second legs for the last 5 tickets to Qatar.
Here is an overview of all the matches with the best betting predictions for you. All matches have one thing in common: almost all of them will be low-scoring and if you find good odds for betting on under 2.5, you should go for it.
Ghana vs. Nigeria (25/03/2022, 20:30 CET)
The two arch-rivals Ghana and Nigeria meet in Kumasi. On paper, the advantage clearly lies with the offensively strong Nigerian team and big names like Viktor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi or Ademola Lookman. But Ghana counters with a new coach with Bundesliga experience (Otto Addo) and a newly discovered team spirit. Added to this is a home match in front of a highly emotional crowd in Kumasi.
By the way, you can read our full preview of this match here.
Our betting tip: GHANA AH 0 @1.85 (Available at Betway)
Egypt v Senegal (25/03/2022, 20:30)
This is a replay of the Africa Cup final. Senegal came out on top in Cameroon – but only after a penalty shootout in which the Egyptian players clearly lost their nerve. The playoff now of the top match between Sadio Mané‘s Senegal and Mo Salah’s Egypt picks up exactly where it left off in the Africa Cup final. It a tough game with little offensive action, but with dogged defence. Individual actions can decide the game.
Senegal will try to go into the second leg with the best possible result. But the odds are currently in favour of a bet on Egypt, who will have to look for their advantage amid the cheers of the crowd.
Our betting tip: Egypt AH 0 @1.85 (available at Bet365)
Cameroon v Algeria (25/03/2022, 18:00 CET)
After missing out on victory at the Copa America, Cameroon must now make amends in front of their home crowd. Record-breaking national player Rigobert Song was hired as coach. He immediately tried to restore the harmony that had been severely disrupted after the disappointing Nations Cup. Song also succeeded in persuading Bayern Munich attacker Choupo-Moting to play for the national team again. Together with Toko-Ekambi and Aboubakar, Choupo-Moting will try to get the indomitable lions into position for the second leg.
Opponents Algeria, of course, will have something against that. They will rely on their superstar in the team, Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez and AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacher.
No other team has scored more goals than Algeria during their World Cup qualifiers in Africa. With 25 goals, they have even scored twice as many as their opponents Cameroon, who are known for their attacking style of play. Their top scorer was Islam Slimane of Sporting Lisbon. At the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, however, the Algerian team disappointed all along the line and was eliminated in the preliminary round. For Friday’s match, the trend is clearly towards a home win for the Cameroonians.
Our betting prediction: Cameroon -0.25 @1.88 (available at 1xBet)
Democratic Republic of Congo v Morocco (25/03/2022, 16:00 CET)
Congo is the big surprise in the play-offs. For the central African country, qualification would mean their first World Cup appearance since 1974. However, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s path to the playoffs led them through a relatively “easy” group. The opponents were Benin, Tanzania or Madagascar.
Even then, DR Congo had a tough time and had to fight for qualification until the very end. The star of the team is probably the coach: Hector Cuper once coached traditional clubs like Inter Milan, FC Valencia or Betis Sevilla. He has already led Egypt to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Apart from the coach, the experienced captain and defender Mbemba from FC Porto and the Brentford winger Yoane Wissa are the most important players. Nevertheless, it is clear who is the favourite in this match: Morocco with its superstar Achraf Hakimi from Paris St.-Germany and numerous players from the Spanish La Liga like goalkeeper Bono (FC Sevilla), striker En-Nesyri (FC Sevilla) or FC Watford midfielder Imran Louza. Morocco was the only team in the group stage to win all their 6 matches.
Our betting prediction: Morocco -0.25 @1.90 (available at Interwetten)
Mali vs Tunisia (25/03/2022, 18:00 CET)
Mali finished the group stage of World Cup qualifying as the only African team without conceding a goal. At the Africa Cup of Nations, they surprisingly lost on penalties to Equatorial Guinea. In their preliminary group, they met … Tunisia.
The Malian team, led by Lorient goalscorer Ibrahima Koné ( FC Lorient), beat their play-off opponents 1-0. FC Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré is the star of the team. Mali is also the big favourites in these playoffs. Tunisia has a team without any big familiar faces, although defensive midfielder Ellyes Skhiri of 1. FC Cologne could stand out.
Our betting prediction: Mali -0.5 @2.10 (Available at Bet365)
