AFCON Betting Tips – Explore the Top African Cup of Nations Favorites and Other Bets

The African Cup of Nations begins soon, and bettors are already excited about the betting opportunities. Our AFCON betting tips will cover the top matches from the tournament, which is highly popular around the world. International football betting is always a big draw for bettors, and the top AFCON markets can be found at BetPlays.

As one of the most unpredictable international tournaments, AFCON generates a lot of attention from bettors. We’ll cover the top AFCON favorites, odds, and markets, including the outright favorites for Africa’s top international soccer tournament.

AFCON Tournament Format & How It Impacts Betting

There’s plenty of action in African Cup of Nations betting markets due to the high number of teams included. While the AFCON format has varied over the years, most tournaments include a round-robin stage followed by knockout rounds.

• In 2025, the African Cup of Nations will feature 24 teams and 52 matches.
• There are six groups of four teams, with the top two teams qualifying from each group.
• Four best third-placed teams proceed to the Round of 16 as well.
• Winners then advance to single quarter-finals and semi-finals matches, which proceed to the final.
• A 3^rd place playoff will see the two losers from the semifinals battle for the third spot.

Compared to the Euros or the World Cup, AFCON matches tend to be draw-heavy. That’s because all of the teams are quite close in terms of quality, with a few favorites standing out.

Top 2025 AFCON Favorites to Win the Tournament

The top AFCON favorites to win this tournament edition include Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, and Algeria. In 2023, Ivory Coast were the African Cup of Nations winners. This year, the AFCON odds have not been generous for Ivory Coast, with BetPlays favoring other national teams.

With several title contenders having great squad depth, the winner will most likely be decided by margins. Egypt leads the list of top AFCON winners with seven trophies. Here are the top BetPlays AFCON outright betting favorites before the tournament begins.

Here are the latest outright AFCON betting outright odds for the top favorites:

The outright odds are valued per each team’s recent form, last performances in the African Cup of Nations, and of course, the squad depth. The reigning champion Ivory Coast’s AFCON odds have been reduced to darkhorse value, with Morocco having one of the younger and better squads to top the list.

Egypt is up there as well, but a lot of it will depend on Mohamed Salah’s form. We’ll take a look at the top African Cup of Nations predictions for the biggest favorites below.

Morocco – the Main Favorite

Morocco is the main favorite to win the African Cup of Nations. The reason is clear – three of the last five hosts have won the Cup, and this has certainly played a part in Morocco’s AFCON favorites odds. In addition, Morocco has lost just twice since the beginning of 2024, establishing itself as a clear leader in our AFCON betting tips.

The squad is packed with talent, including PSG star Achraf Hakimi and Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui. Ayoub El Kaabi and Youssef En-Nesyri are great in their positions, too. The country has been preparing for this moment since 1976, when it won the last title. The price for Morocco is solid, yet not a value bet – that belongs to teams further down the list.

Egypt – Title Contenders

If there’s one team that should make a heavy charge at Morocco’s crown to lose, it’s Egypt. The second AFCON favorites on our list, it will be interesting to see how the Pharaohs approach this tournament.

Led by Mo Salah, Egypt has the talent to add an 8^th African Cup of Nations trophy to its collection. However, a lot of it depends on the out-of-form Salah, who’s been under a lot of scrutiny for Liverpool’s struggles.

His Egyptian teammates have supported the captain, and without Salah, Egypt will struggle. If the star forward plays well, Egypt can reach the final. This means keeping him fit and in form, which may not always turn out for the best.

Senegal – Strong AFCON Betting Value

This might be Senegal’s last and best chance before the golden generation breaks up. Senegal reached the Round of 16 in 2023, won the 2021 edition, and was a runner-up two years earlier. With stars such as Sadio Mane, Idrissa Gueye, and Kalidou Koulibaly, the team is stacked with talent that can compete at the highest level.

What’s evident is that some of these players are not in the top European leagues anymore, playing in Saudi Arabia for a couple of years. They are active for their clubs as first-team choices, but the level of quality in the Saudi Pro League and the Champions League is not the same.

The African Cup of Nations is a different beast altogether, and it remains to be seen if Senegal has one last strong push. Nevertheless, it’s among the top choice in all African Cup of Nations predictions, offering better value than Morocco.

Dark Horses & Value Outsiders at AFCON

Our AFCON betting tips suggest better value when looking at outsiders. Morocco and Egypt are decently priced, yet players looking for betting value will find it in undervalued teams. Cameroon and Nigeria are among the top AFCON long shots, which will also depend on group draws.

Nigeria has a strong team with some surprise player missing, including Nottingham’s Premier League player Ola Aina and Udinese’s Maduka Okoye. Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will lead the line, and expectations are certainly high for the strikers to deliver. However, with nine forwards in the squad, questions remain over a thin defensive line for the Eagles.

Cameroon’s case is even more interesting. The team is heading to AFCON with two managers and two squads. We’re just as confused as you are. Cameroon’s football president Samuel Eto’o has sacked head coach Marc Brys, with the former Barcelona star appointing a new squad with a new manager – David Pagou.

Here’s where things get interesting. Brys has refused the dismissal, submitting his own 28-man squad. This makes Cameroon’s situation ahead of the African Cup of Nations very messy, so it’s rightfully not among the top AFCON favorites.

Additionally, Cameroon has been drawn against Ivory Coast in the group stage, which further complicates matters.

Still, Nigeria is set at +900 before the tournament, while Cameroon’s AFCON odds are at +1400. They remain a strong pick in our AFCON betting tips, with many bettors thinking in that direction.

Best Match Betting Tips for AFCON Games

Compared to other international tournaments, AFCON match betting is much more unpredictable. This makes smart market selection essential. Canadian bettors should explore the sports betting BetPlays section and look for safer options instead of backing favorites. Double chance and Draw No Bet work well during the group stages.

If history has taught us anything, low scoring games are common. There should be value in under 3 or 2.5 goals frequently. Backing the draw provides strong African Cup of Nations odds as well, as does the BTTS-no market.

Bettors should always keep an eye on the latest AFCON odds as well as team news and squad rotations. Late changes can have a major impact on AFCON betting tips, which is why checking out team news is essential before each match.

Player Betting Tips – Top Scorer & Key Performers

Bettors looking for value bets will find them among AFCON’s top performers and scorers. The AFCON top scorer betting markets mostly rely on regular starters and penalty takers. The role of each player as well as the minutes spent on the pitch play a larger role than reputation. Wingers, attacking midfielders, and forwards are strong options for AFCON player bets when it comes to goals and assists.

Defenses in the African Cup of Nations tend to sink deep. Players such as Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen are likely to bag goals, but their AFCON odds will be lower than attacking midfielders. The best AFCON betting tips suggest looking for players from teams that are expected to reach knockout rounds, as extra matches raise the chances of players securing the coveted top scorer trophy.

AFCON Live Betting Tips & In-Play Strategies

AFCON live betting offers numerous in-play betting opportunities and great value. With tight matches that change direction quickly, it’s an ideal setting for experienced bettors. We suggest looking at the opening 15-20 to see how the match goes and identify live betting AFCON opportunities.

Markets such as O/U or next team to score are valuable. As the match drags on, fatigue and substitutions can swing momentum, just like yellow and red cards. Live AFCON odds often provide better value than pre-match fixed odds betting, although Canadian bettors must react fast to the odds swings.

One thing to keep in mind is that late goals are common in knockout rounds. Adjusted goal lines at BetPlays Canada can be particularly profitable for bettors who follow the latest news regarding AFCON betting tips.

Common AFCON Betting Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to the African Cup of Nations, many bettors make several mistakes. For example, they often overrate big-name teams, which might have trouble against underdogs. Blindly backing favorites is not a good idea, as is ignoring the climate and pitch conditions.

Betting discipline is a must in order to get the most out of AFCON betting tips. Bankroll management plays a large role, too, allowing bettors to bet consistently and avoiding problems later on.

Do your research, compare odds across different markets, and bet responsibly to get the most out of our African Cup of Nations predictions.

Final Verdict – How to Bet Smart on AFCON

The African Cup of Nations is nearly upon us, and our AFCON betting guide covers the top favorites and sets the stage for the upcoming matches. Bettors can look forward to the upcoming edition when the action begins with our AFCON betting guide, as well as the most important matches on the schedule to come later on.

Take a look at the top BetPlays sports betting markets for value betting, long-term profit, and rewards for patient bettors. With numerous low-risk markets, in-play BetPlays betting, exciting promotions, and our African Cup of Nations predictions, you can make accurate bets that pay off in the long term.