2022 Africa Cup of Nations Predictions: Can Algeria Repeat as Champs?

Eric Uribe
By , Updated on: Jan 7, 2022 12:00 AM
2022 Africa Cup of Nations Predictions: Can Algeria Repeat as Champs?

Every January, online soccer betting experiences an uptick in action across the globe. Gamblers from all over are jumping at everything from La Liga Futures to MLS Cup Championship predictions to betting odds on the Premier League. In 2022, though, there will be even more action coming to the table, thanks to the Africa Cup of Nations moving from the summer to the start of the new year.

Granted, this delay has zero impact on the competitive landscape. All 2022 Africa Cup of Nations predictions continue to ponder whether reigning champion Algeria can repeat as the king of the crop. Ours is no different. But we also have a handful of other best Africa Cup of Nations bets to throw your way.

Let's begin by taking a look at the latest Africa Cup of Nations betting odds:

Africa Cup of Nations WinnerBetOnlineBovada
Senegal+380+350
Algeria+470+500
Egypt+650+650
Ivory Coast+750+750
Morocco+1000+1000
Cameroon+1000+1000
Nigeria+1300+1200
Ghana+1800+1500
Tunisia+2000+2000
Mali+2300+2500
Burkina Faso+3600+3500
Guinea+4400+4500
Cape Verde+5500+5500
Gabon+7500+7500
Gambia+9500+10000
Buinea Bissau+11000+12500
Sierra Leone+11000+15000
Ethiopia+16000+15000
Mauritania+16000+15000
Malawi+19000+20000
Zimbabwe+19000+20000
Comoros+19000+20000
Sudan+19000+20000
Equatorial Guinea+19000+20000

2022 Africa Cup of Nations Best Bets

Please note these betting odds on the Africa Cup of Nations are accurate as of Friday, January 7. Make sure you're double-checking the lines for accuracy if placing a wager thereafter. All Africa Cup of Nations betting odds will shift between now and the Final, which is scheduled for February 6, 2022.

At this writing, you have nearly a month before the next Africa Cup of Nations champion is crowned. As you consider all your possible Africa Cup of Nations picks, check out our reviews of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which of the best soccer betting sites will meet all of your needs.

Can Algeria Repeat as Champs? 

It isn't necessarily an insult that Algeria doesn't enter as the odds-on favorite. They have the second-best outright and everyone realizes how much of a threat they are after winning it all in 2019. Not only is Ismael Bennacer back after being named Player of the Tournament last time around, but he isn't even Algeria's best player. That honor belongs to Riyad Mahrez.

Algeria isn't even without breakout star options. Ramiz Zerrouki may be on the younger side, but he started in five of the country's World Cup Qualifiers.

So, can Algeria repeat? The answer is yet.

Algeria To win the Africa Cup of Nations
Bovada
+500

Better Bet: Cameroon, Morocco, or Nigeria? 

Many think this could be Morocco's time to shine. They are (shockingly) without Hakim Zyech, but they have a handful of other stars and fringe stars in Youssef En-Nesyri, Achraf Hakimi, and Ilias Chair. Still, their squad lacks experience on this particular stage and hasn't enjoyed a higher-end finish since 1976. 

Cameroon is in a similar boat. Having two superstars in Andre-Frank Zambo and Vincent Aboubakar no doubt helps their case—particularly on offense. But these two players have more international goals scored between them than the rest of the Cameroon roster combined.

Nigeria, on the other hand, is deeper in name recognition—not to mention talent at both ends of the pitch. Between Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka, Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong, and others, Nigeria might have the best two-way team of the entire pool

Nigeria To win the Africa Cup of Nations
Bovada
+1200

Should Senegal be Favorites to Win It All?

Senegal is, without question, a real threat to win it all—in large part because it has a favorable tournament pull. There aren't many viable contenders in Group B, and Senegal is by far the toast of the bunch.

If there's cause for concern, it lies with their heliocentric offense. Senegal is incredibly reliant on Sadio Mane, who accounts for 60 percent of all their scored goals. Defenses will be able to target him later on, which will force his supporting cast to step up.

Viewed in these terms, your faith in Senegal should be tied to whether you think Pape Matar Sarr or someone else on the roster can pitch in at a star level on offense to help alleviate the burden placed upon Mane. 

Senegal To win the Africa Cup of Nations
Bovada
+350

Who will Win the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations?

Believe it or not, we're tempted to predict a repeat for Algeria. They will end up having a runaway offense if their roster hits the right way. However, they are a little light on the Africa Cup of Nations' experience after their 2019 victory. Depending on less-established players like Zerrouki could come back to bite them no matter how talented they are, and the defense remains vulnerable in on-the-break situations.

Nigeria is instead of our Africa Cup of Nations pick. They have assembled a stacked roster yet don't seem to get the credit that resembles one. This comes as doubly surprising given their overall success in the Africa Cup of Nations. They have three victories to their name, including most recently in 2013. Even after their slow start, we're jumping on their 12-to-1 odds and never looking back.

Nigeria To win the Africa Cup of Nations
Bovada
+1200

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Meet the author

Eric Uribe

Born and raised in Nevada, Eric was exposed to the world of sports betting at an early age. He yearned to be 21 just to hit the sportsbook, and when that day finally came, he became a regular at the smoke-filled room, sweating out bets with sketchy characters. Eric'...

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