The second set of group matches get underway at the Africa Cup of Nations on Boxing Day when Group A and Group B return to action on a day where we will see the first qualifiers for the knockout stages confirmed.
There was some good action in these groups in the opening match day and with the top two seeds in all of the groups meeting in this second game day we should see plenty of decent football while we tuck into the Christmas Day leftovers!
Boxing Day fixtures are as follows: (UK kick off and TV in brackets)
Angola vs Zimbabwe (12.30 – 4seven)
Egypt vs South Africa (15.00 – Channel 4)
Zambia vs Comoros (17.30 – 4seven)
Morocco vs Mali (20.00 – 4seven)
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Preview
We actually begin the day in Group B and open up with the two lowest seeds Angola and Zimbabwe, who both put up good showings in their opening match but came away with 2-1 defeats so whoever loses here while they won’t be eliminated from the competition, they will need a win from their last game to stay alive. When they are done Egypt will take on South Africa with both teams having a win behind them and therefore knowing that if they come out on top here they will be safely into the knockout stages.
We then move to Group A for the remainder of the day where once again it is the two lower seeds who will open up the action. Comoros were beaten by the host nation in the opening match of the tournament and they will be hoping to get off the mark when they take on a Zambia side who were extremely fortunate to draw their opener. The closing match of a really good looking day of football sees the hosts Morocco looking for a second win which will move them through to the round of 16 when they take on a Mali side who will be smarting from conceding a late equaliser in their first game.
Betting
I’ll go with one bet over the course of the day on Boxing Day and that comes in the form of Angola to get the better of Zimbabwe. I thought Angola were really unlucky to go down to South Africa in the opening set of matches. They won the xG battle in that match 0.89-0.44 and offered plenty, especially in the first half of the contest and even though they lost they should be feeling pretty good about themselves as they set about rectifying that here.
By contrast, Zimbabwe suffered late heartache against Egypt in their first game and while on paper that was much the tougher of the two matches for these two, Egypt had 35 shots in that game and won the xG battle 2.93-0.35. Zimbabwe couldn’t keep hold of the ball at all and gave up chances at will and I expect Angola to take advantage of that. Angola looked well coached and had a good plan against South Africa and if they can be clinical in front of goal I expect them to win this one.
Tips
Back Angola to beat Zimbabwe for a 3/10 stake at 1.80 with William Hill
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