Ghana lead Nigeria by a nose

6Feb 2013

African Cup 2013

Ahead of the semi-finals, Michael Lintorn looks at what the long-term African Cup of Nations markets are saying...

Winner

The Ivory Coast layers found satisfaction even earlier in the tournament than usual after the strong favourites were beaten 2-1 by Nigeria in Sunday's quarter-final clash. That makes it two finals, a semi-final and two quarter-finals for the Elephants since 2006 alone but no silverware. Nigeria's feat has seen them backed in to 2.92 from around 16.0 at one stage, however it is Ghana - considered Ivory Coast's main challengers throughout - who have assumed frontrunner status at 2.7 following three straight victories in which they have scored six without reply. Their semi-final opponents Burkina Faso are overall outsiders at 7.2 despite outlasting holders Zambia and Togo. Mali, who eliminated hosts South Africa and face Nigeria on Wednesday, are 6.4 to lift the trophy.

Top Goalscorer

All the ingredients are present for an epic battle with three men tied on three goals and each still participating in the competition for two more games: Nigeria's Emmanuel Emenike 3.05, Ghana's Wakaso Mubarak 3.35 and Burkina Faso's Alain Traore 7.8. The lesson that you shouldn't just blindly back a big European name (unless that name was Samuel Eto'o in the late 2000s) looks destined to be doled out again, though Chelsea's Victor Moses 11.0 and former Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita 18.0 remain active on two goals, tied with Burkina Faso's Jonathan Pitroipa 13.5. The man in form of that crowd is Wakaso, who grabbed both goals in Ghana's 2-0 quarter-final dismissal of Cape Verde.

Nominate Finalists

Things rarely transpire as they appear mapped out to in internationals tournaments, which is why the nations widely accepted as the two most formidable surviving sides - Ghana and Nigeria - are some distance above evens at 2.22 to meet in the final. If there is to be an upset, most would rate Mali the more likely obstructers but Burkina Faso are achieving the greater results and are 4.2 to progress to oppose Nigeria. The double shock of a Mali v Burkina Faso trophy decider is 7.4.