Day six of the Africa Cup of Nations presents a series of intriguing contests, as eight nations across Groups C and D compete to strengthen their claims for a place in the knockout phase.
With round two now underway, opening-day losers are in search of recovery, knowing that another setback could effectively end their tournament hopes. Meanwhile, those who began with victories will aim to tighten their grip on qualification.
Four fixtures are scheduled for the day, and MRFixtips has highlighted the most reliable betting angles worth consideration.
Benin vs Botswana: Saturday, December 27 – 12:30
Both sides head into this encounter in need of their first points after suffering defeats in their opening matches. Benin were edged out by DR Congo in a narrow loss, while Botswana were comfortably beaten by Senegal.
The Cheetahs have now lost three matches in succession without finding the net, a sequence that also leaves them without a regulation-time victory in 15 AFCON matches across five tournament appearances (D5, L10), despite their run to the quarter-finals in 2019.
Botswana’s struggles are similarly concerning, with the Zebras losing five of their last six outings (D1) and failing to score in half of those matches.
This will be the first meeting between the two nations, leaving no previous record to draw upon. However, recent patterns suggest a low-scoring affair, particularly given the attacking limitations on display from both sides, with Benin appearing the more balanced team on paper.
Recommended bet:
- Benin 1X and under 3.5 goals – 21/50 (Betano)
Senegal vs DR Congo: Saturday, December 27 – 15:00
A clash for control of Group D awaits as both Senegal and DR Congo arrive on the back of opening victories.
Senegal swept aside Botswana with a commanding 3-0 win that could easily have been heavier, having registered 17 shots on target, while DR Congo were made to work harder for a 1-0 success against Benin.
The Lions of Teranga have now claimed seven wins from their last eight matches, scoring at least three goals in five of those triumphs.
DR Congo also bring momentum into this contest, with five regulation-time victories from their last six games, the only exception being a penalty shootout success over Nigeria in the World Cup qualifiers.
Senegal have held the upper hand in recent meetings, winning six of the last eight head-to-heads (D2), though with both sides carrying confidence, this encounter appears more finely balanced than previous editions.
One notable pattern stands out, as Senegal have scored at least once before the interval in six of their last seven internationals, while each of the last seven goals they have conceded arrived in the first half.
That trend is reinforced by DR Congo’s record, having scored before the break in eight of their last nine internationals, with seven of their last nine AFCON goals conceded also coming prior to half-time.
Recommended bet:
- Over 0.5 goals in the first half – 8/5 (Ladbrokes)
Uganda vs Tanzania: Saturday, December 27 – 17:30
Uganda and Tanzania both seek a response after defeats in their opening Group C fixtures. The Cranes fell 3-1 to Tunisia, marking a third loss in four matches and a sixth defeat in nine AFCON outings overall (W1, D2).
Tanzania, meanwhile, were beaten 2-1 by Nigeria and have now lost six of their last eight games, recording only two draws during that period. They are also winless at the AFCON after 10 matches at the tournament (D3, L7).
Recent meetings slightly favour Tanzania, who have won two of the last three encounters, although Uganda retain the broader advantage with 12 victories from the last 20 clashes between the sides (D4, L4).
Despite recent matches involving goals, this fixture is expected to be approached with caution, given the importance of avoiding another damaging result. Only three of Uganda’s last 11 competitive internationals saw both teams find the net, while the same outcome occurred in just three of Tanzania’s last nine competitive fixtures.
Recommended bet:
- Uganda 1X and under 3.5 goals – 8/13 (Betano)
Nigeria vs Tunisia: Saturday, December 27 – 20:00
Nigeria and Tunisia close the day with a contest that could shape the outcome of Group C, following opening victories for both sides. The Super Eagles overcame Tanzania, while the Carthage Eagles secured all three points against Uganda.
Nigeria have won five of their last eight competitive matches in regulation time, while Tunisia arrive on the back of three consecutive victories.
Tunisia claimed bragging rights when the teams last met at AFCON 2021, and recent meetings between the sides have often ended level, with six draws recorded across their last eight encounters. Goals have been a common theme, with six of the last nine meetings producing efforts at both ends, a pattern that could repeat here.
That expectation is further supported by recent records, as Nigeria have both scored and conceded in six of their last seven matches, while the same outcome has been seen in six of Tunisia’s last eight games.
Recommended bet:
- Both teams to score – 21/20 (Ladbrokes)
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi is a sports writer with more than four years’ experience covering football and other global sports. A lifelong Arsenal supporter since 2004, he writes with genuine passion and a sharp eye for the stories that shape the game.
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