Cameroon Vs Egypt
Cameroon Vs Egypt Thursday 3 February, 2022 – 19:00 (GMT)
Africa Cup of Nations
Pick: Egypt Draw No Bet
Odds: 15/8
Bookmaker: PaddyPower
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 1 February 2022)
Preview: Are the host nation closing in on a sixth Africa Cup of Nations crown? Cameroon have produced a number of eye-catching displays on their way to a last four meeting with Egypt, who are bidding to win a record-extending eighth continental title, and stand to benefit from a noisy home following inside Olembe Stadium in the capital Yaounde.
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Table of Contents
Cameroon – Two-pronged attack leading Indomitable Lions to glory?
The Indomitable Lions continue to thrive off the passionate home support given to them at this tournament, cruising through to a tenth semi-final at this Africa Cup of Nations. Toni Conceicao’s side have hardly put a foot out of place, dispatching all of Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Comoros and The Gambia with minimal fuss. A 1-1 draw versus Cape Verde in their final group outing, having already qualified, their only blemish.
Karl Toko Ekambi’s brace decided the quarter-final with the tournament’s surprise package, Gambia. Between the Lyon man and strike partner Vincent Aboubakar, the pair account for all 11 Cameroon goals. So, while in theory this makes it easier for the opposing manager to pinpoint where the threat is coming from, nullifying the team that has scored in all five matches so far is evidently a lot easier said than done.
Key Stat: With four wins and a draw at this tournament, Cameroon have stretched their unbeaten run to nine games (W8 D1). They have lost only once – 2-1 away to Ivory Coast last September – in their last 14 internationals.
Egypt – Pharaohs heavily reliant on Salah’s magic?
There can be little doubt Egypt have grown in confidence and as a force the deeper into the tournament they go. Since losing the opener to Nigeria, the record seven-time African champions have beaten Guinea-Bissau, Sudan, Ivory Coast and Morocco – the latter two on penalties and in extra-time, respectively. They are now just one game from their tenth final. Their record once there, a phenomenal W6 D2.
Yet the football continues to be attritional rather than expansive. Carlos Queiroz will be pleased with how his team has kept their shape to concede only twice all tournament, impressively limiting a Morocco side which had been electric all tournament to precious little in the quarter-final. Excluding extra-time, though, it is two scored in five games while the reliance on Salah has been there for all to see.
Key Stat: Excluding extra-time, Egypt haven’t scored more than once in any of their past nine matches (W2 D5 L2). None of these games saw Over 2.5 Goals, with six seeing one goal or none.
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Cameroon Vs Egypt Betting Advice
When comparing the performances at the tournament so far, we see that Cameroon fare better overall (W4 D1 vs W2 D2 L1) and on goals scored (11 vs 4), but are more susceptible defensively (4 conceded to Egypt’s 2). The Indomitable Lions also possess a useful habit for scoring multiple times (in four matches), something The Pharaohs haven’t managed all tournament. Possibly because they haven’t needed to?
Cameroon Vs Egypt – Key Facts:
- Hosts Cameroon have won four of their five matches at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, drawing the other, and are bidding to reach an eighth final.
- Egypt have only won twice at the tournament so far (W2 D2 L1) but have made more finals than any other nation (9), last doing so in 2017 where they lost to Cameroon.
- Cameroon are the tournament’s highest scorers with 11. Seven more than the tally of Egypt, who have, however, shipped two fewer goals than their semi-final opponents.
Instead, Egypt will rely on what has got them to this semi-final: superb organisation and defensive shape out of possession. Plus in Salah they have someone capable of turning a game on its head, as he did against Morocco with a poacher’s goal and outstanding assist for the winner. The Pharaohs also possess a tidy record against their opponents, winning all four encounters prior to losing the 2017 AFCON final. Therefore, I think the seven-time champions are worth chancing Draw No Bet.
Best Betting Odds – Cameroon Vs Egypt
Cameroon – 21/20 (PaddyPower)
Draw – 19/10 (BetVictor)
Egypt – 7/2 (Bet365)
