The Africa Cup of Nations is one of the world’s biggest and most-anticipated international soccer tournaments. Here is our guide to the best AFCON betting sites as we reveal what to expect from them for the big event.
Every two years, the leading African nations come together to compete for the trophy, which is organized and sanctioned by the CAF. The tournament features 24 qualified nations taking on the challenge, leading to a total of 52 matches for AFCON betting. With so many options to explore, join us as we break down the dynamics of wagering on AFCON.
AFCON is the acronym for the Africa Cup of Nations. It is a celebration of African soccer as international teams from the continent head into the main draw following a long qualification campaign.
The inaugural AFCON tournament was introduced in 1957, when only three teams participated. The event has grown substantially since then, and the main draw is currently open to 24 nations.
The format of the AFCON is much like that of other major international soccer tournaments. There is an initial group stage format, with the qualifiers from that moving ahead into a knockout stage, which starts with the Round of 16.
The conclusion is the AFCON Final, the big highlight for soccer betting on the tournament. The Africa Cup of Nations is generally played at the same time as European club football, so familiar stars from leagues such as the English Premier League and German Bundesliga are pulled away from club action to the international scene.
While only 24 teams make it to AFCON, the qualification process leading up to the main event involves twice as many teams, making it larger than the actual main event. A total of 52 teams from the CAF confederation entered qualification. That produces 150 matches and a whole host of Africa Cup of Nations betting options.
The designated hosts of the next Africa Cup of Nations edition automatically qualify, leaving a big race for the other 23 spots.
Many of Africa’s greatest players have featured at AFCON, for example, former Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba and four-time African Football of the Year winners Samuel Eto’o and Yaya Touré. Legend Eto’o is the all-time leading goalscorer in AFCON history, with 18 goals.
Famous Cameroon star Roger Milla played, while in more recent times, superstar appearances have come from Senegal’s Sadio Mané, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen.
It is important to align yourself with the best online betting sites in Nigeria or your region so you can play on licensed, regulated platforms. It is worth spending some time reading bookmaker reviews and testing some platforms to ensure you can consistently get things like competitive odds and good customer service.
Also, bettors take different approaches to their soccer betting. For one person, it may be a mobile betting app, above all other things. For another, it may be live-streaming or promotions. Fortunately, the variety of betting sites is huge.
Online betting sites are not one-dimensional things. They are interactive platforms that provide a service, and you should strive to get the best of that service, whether through free bets in Nigeria or the best cash-out services.
Here is a quick look at some important elements available at the best AFCON bookmakers:
With so many betting options available, competitive AFCON odds are something to keep an eye out for. Comparisons between betting sites can turn up the best Afcon bookmakers who consistently hit the right note with strong soccer odds.
Good market and bet coverage is another important thing for betting on Africa Cup of Nations. Ensure you find the markets for AFCON betting that fit your preferences. Variety can be a useful thing for soccer betting.
As you may spend a lot of time on the site, it’s worth exploring to see what things like navigation, overall functionality, speed, and design of the best AFCON betting sites are like.
Mobile betting puts a sportsbook at your fingertips. You may want to keep an eye on the latest game but also watch the latest in-play betting markets at the same time. A good mobile betting app can make a big difference when it comes to betting on AFCON when you’re not at home.
It is important to look for quality customer support as well. Sometimes, you may require a bit of help with a query, and therefore, knowing when support hours are operational and what channels you have available to contact is indispensable.
However, finding good odds and mobile betting is only part of finding the best AFCON betting sites. Extra features are scattered throughout online betting platforms to give players a bolder experience.
Here are some of the best features for your Africa Cup of Nations betting:
Moving into in-play betting for the AFCON action means opening new markets. After kick-off, the live odds focus on a direct correlation to what is happening on the field of play. Use the flow of the game and your betting knowledge for in-play betting opportunities.
Live streaming is a big feature of many online betting sites. Major sports like soccer, basketball, tennis, and horse racing are just some of the ones you can expect to find covered, and you obviously are going to want a site that streams the AFCON Final.
You can receive a cash-out offer for active bets on your account. This means that the bookmaker is prepared to settle the wager early, meaning you can secure winnings early for a sacrifice of odds, which is especially valuable in soccer when anything can happen to turn the tides suddenly.
One of the newer features to creep onto the online betting scene has been Bet Builders. This feature can be found on both the in-play and pre-match markets. You can create a unique same-game multi from the available AFCON markets.
Betting promotions are another area to focus on when choosing the best AFCON betting site. Welcome bonuses are very common, offering the chance to claim free bet bonuses from things like matched deposit offers.
But offers for existing customers can bring longer-term value. Certain betting promotions can be used more than once for AFCON betting. Things like Acca Insurance, money back specials, cashback, and enhanced odds deals are also worth looking out for.
Loyalty clubs at the best AFCON betting sites are also out there. These rewards will, most often, provide weekly bonuses for reaching a certain bet minimum in a promotional period, which may be easier than you think throughout the entire length of the tournament.
The AFCON tournament lasts approximately one month. Through the group stage, in particular, the matches will come thick and fast. While the match focus will be a big part of the attention at the best soccer betting sites, don’t forget the outright markets.
Market Type | Betting Options |
---|---|
Long-Term Markets | Outright Winner |
Pre-Match Markets | Stage of Elimination Top Goalscorer Group Winner To Reach Final Match Winner Anytime Goalscorer Handicap Asian Handicap Half-Time/Full-Time Draw No Bet |
Live Markets | Next Goalscorer Next Team to Score Rapid Markets Final Score Match Outright |
Forecasts and futures are long-term bets that you make on the Africa Cup of Nations. The most popular of these is the AFCON Outright Winner. The market is open long before the big tournament starts, so there is plenty of time to plan and study this market in advance.
A participating team doesn’t have to be backed to win the tournament outright. The Stage of Elimination markets gives options to select how far a particular nation will make it into the draw. Will it be a failure to get out of the group stage or falling at the semi-final stage?
Other popular long-term markets for betting on AFCON include the Top Goalscorer and Player of the Tournament.
The group stage format also provides some good forecast markets for AFCON betting. Things like group winners, straight forecasts, or choosing which team will finish at the bottom of their section add plenty of depth and variety.
For individual match betting on AFCON, it is common to see a vast number of bet options. This is really where bettors can put their stamp on AFCON betting, with many markets to explore.
The Match-Winner market is the most popular of all the options. It is usually the basis for accumulator bets as well. Match handicaps, Goalscorer, and Over/Under options are hugely popular betting markets for matches, too.
There are many angles covered for betting on the Africa Cup of Nations. Look for expert insights and AFCON betting tips for advice along the way.
Don’t approach AFCON betting randomly. Do some research, study the odds, and make a plan of action by setting a betting strategy.
Rushed betting can lead to mistakes and poor decisions. Take your time with every wager and don’t fall for rash choices.
Soccer is a sport full of passion on the pitch and among supporters. It’s easy to get swept up in all, but for betting, always select options with a level head.
Never place wagers on unfamiliar markets or push beyond your betting budget just to get a promotion.
Just one AFCON tournament, for example, has 52 matches, and those bring an enormous number of betting options. One of the biggest AFCON betting tips is to narrow your focus; you don’t need to bet on everything!
Stick to the best AFCON betting sites licensed and regulated by a governing body for your region. That helps to protect you and keep you safe online. Try to use trusted, secure bookmakers that have a good reputation.
Registration at a bookmaker for betting on the Africa Cup of Nations will be quick. You just need to provide some personal information and set up a valid deposit method to fund the account. Never share your account details.
Staying safe at online betting sites is extremely important. Align yourself with the responsible gaming tools that all the best AFCON betting sites will have. Understand that risk is involved, and keep a check on your play.
Self-assessments and bet limits are just some options to consider for responsible gaming. Help yourself by sticking to a betting budget and being diligent with it. Write down all your bets or check your online bet history to see what you are playing.
The best AFCON betting site can serve you before, during, and after the tournament. Thinking long-term about this is essential because the platform may also be used for your other regular sports betting.
Look for a betting site you are comfortable using, and check all the boxes for the features that will give you a top experience. Always stay with licensed bookmakers, and don’t forget to look at a list of the best AFCON betting sites if you need to get the ball rolling.