Hosts Egypt are looking to cap off a splendid U-23 Africa Cup of Nations tournament when they play Ivory Coast in the final tonight. The young Pharaohs have won all their four matches in the tournament but will face a difficult Elephants team who won a wild penalty shoot-out against Ghana in the semis. Who will carry the day? Here’s the Big Game Focus with some betting tips. Bet on the game here.
Egypt have already booked their place in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and are hoping to end the tournament on a positive note by lifting the trophy. Four straight wins over Mali, Ghana, Cameroon and South Africa took Shawky Gharib’s men to the final, with the likes of captain Ramadan Sobhi and top scorer Mostafa Mohamed producing some inspirational performances. Can they make it five out of five tonight?
Meanwhile, the Elephants also secured their place in next year’s Olympic Games. They are aiming for their first AFCON U-23. Soulaiho Haidara’s team was considered as pre-tournament underdogs but wins over favourites Zambia, holders Nigeria and Ghana in the semis proved they can scrap it out against the best.
Betting preview
Egypt have won all their four games in the tournament. Considering they’re playing in front of their home crowd, they are huge favourites against Ivory Coast. The Pharaohs have also won six of their last nine matches in the AFCON U-23 tournament. The Ivorians have won two of their four matches in this year’s showpiece. You can back an Egypt Win at odds of 1.40.
Three of Egypt’s four matches in this year’s tournament have seen three or more goals scored. Ivory Coast’s last game saw Over 2.5 Goals. Therefore, you can back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 2.40.
The hosts have drawn three of their four games in the tournament in the first half but went to win it in the second half. The Elephants have also drawn three of their four games in the first half. That being so, you can back a First Half Draw and Egypt Win in the Second Half at odds of 3.40.
Team news
Apart from midfielder Nasser Maher who was injured on the opening day of the tournament, the hosts have no other major injury concerns.
The Elephants have no major injury concerns and should start with the same team that started in the semis against Ghana.
Possible line-ups.
Egypt: Sobhi, Galal, Abdelsalam, Beckham, El Eraki, Tawfik, Hamdy, Fatouh, Magdi, Sobhi, Mohamed
Ivory Coast: Ira Tape, Ouattara, Dabila, Diallo, Gnaka, Amani, Keita, Dakoi, Timite, Dao, Traore