Do you know that feeling when you say a word so many times that it no longer makes any sense? It goes for acronyms, too.
Honestly, I’ve asked around to my semi-educated family and their loved ones and not one of them has any idea what in the names of Jaysus an AFCON is.
Like, it’s not even actually an acronym, because then it would be ACON.
But sure that’s a copyright issue as your man who sang ‘Lonely’ uses that name.
Oh God, I need to lie down.
Here’s a nice Saturday double for the second let of quarter-finals from the African Cup of Nations.
Nigeria v Cameroon – Nigeria (9/5)
Relax, relax.
I can hear you all shouting ‘You can’t be tipping that lot at any sort of price given their loss to Madagascar!?’
Well, folks – here’s a little theory for you.
Nigeria’s biggest issue with these tournaments is that they expect to turn up against smaller nations and just waltz past them. It’s always been a focus thing with them.
What you want if you’re backing Nigeria is them to be completely fired up and under pressure.
Let me tell you – the loss to Madagascar did not go down well at home, and the praise that Madagascar should have gotten is actually being turned into an opportunity for both press and public alike to have a cut off them.
I suppose you kind of ask for pressure if your nickname is the Super Eagles. Nobody would be upset if they were let down by a team called the ‘Sh*tehawks’, now would they?
Gernot Rohr is in trouble at the helm and he needs at least a semi-final place to ensure his job safety.
They will come through in this one.
Egypt v South Africa – Egypt (8/15)
I really like South African football. It’s in a good place too, you know.
And that’s not just coming from the bigger names in African football like Kaizer Chiefs. In fact, Chiefs had an appalling season in the PSL and they were beaten in the Nedbank Cup final by second-tier TS Galaxy.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates’ technical ability is catching attention all over the globe and there could be a stream of African players coming to Europe from those destinations.
Percy Tau is the Quinton Fortune of his generation in that he’s probably going to have to carry the burden of playing for South Africa while at a big club soon, and is expected to perform in big moments.
I mean, this could be one – but there’s just one big thing I can’t quite get past.
And that’s Mo Salah. All aboard the 8/15.
D’ya see what I did there?
A double on these bets pays out at over 5/2 on PaddyPower.com
Nigeria win @ 9/5
Egypt win @ 8/15
Get your AFCON bets on at PaddyPower.com-
*All odds correct at time of posting