African Cup of Nations and Egypt v South Africa results so far
African Cup of Nations has reached knockout stage and two teams have already clinched their spot in quarterfinals. Today another two teams will secure their place and we focus on the game where one of the biggest favorites and Group A winner Egypt will face South Africa, who qualified to round of 16 from 3rd place rankings.
Host country Egypt won their group finishing with full 9 points. The Pharaohs scored 5 goals in group stage, while giving away none. They won Zimbabwe in their opener 1-0 and took two 2-0 wins in a row against DR Congo and Uganda. Mo Salah and Ahmed Elmohamady both scored twice in group stage. Trezeguet scored once. In goal Mohamed El Shenawy has kept the clean sheet every game.
South Africa finished 3rd in their group and got into round of 16 from 3rd place rankings. From 6 groups 4 best 3rd place teams qualified and South Africa was last one to qualify, beating Kenya only by goal difference. South Africa lost their first game against Ivory Coast 1-0, won Namibia 1-0 and then lost to Morocco 0-1. This means South Africa has scored once in three games, while giving away 2 goals.
Egypt v South Africa - Forms in the past 5 games
Egypt has won all of their past 5 games, which include two friendlies and the group stage of this tournament. During those 5 games The Pharaohs have scored 9 goals and given away one. That is 1,8 scored goals per game on average and 0,2 goals given away. In their last two matches Egypt has been losing the created goal scoring chances. Against DR Congo they had 9 chances to 19 and against Uganda 7 chances to 17, but they still managed to win both games 2-0. In those games ball possession was also tight, but in three games before that Egypt dominated both categories.
South Africa is not struggling with scoring only in this tournament, but also scored no goals in their two friendlies before the tournament. They have scored 0,2 goals per game on average in their past 5 games, while giving away 0,4. So in their defense, they can also keep their goal clean. South Africa's biggest weakness has been their lack of scoring chances. They had 2 shots against Ivory Coast and Morocco, which is obviously too low number against top teams. Against Namibia they had 17 scoring chances but only scored once, so their attacking force is also missing their chances when they get them.
Conclusion - What to bet on Egypt v South Africa
Egypt is one of the biggest favorites to win the whole cup. They have a decent squad and their players are playing for big clubs in Europe. Especially their strike force is good with Mo Salah leading the way. The Pharaohs might not have been creating a lot of chances lately, but they finish the few chances they get and can keep their own end clean.
South Africa has done great defensively, but they are not scoring. They were lucky to even qualify, but their defensive play saved them. South Africa's team is mostly full of players from their own national league and they don't have superstars like Salah in their team. If South Africa wants to qualify from here they have to start scoring, but it doesn't seem likely. Also, one goal against Egypt won't most likely be enough.
Egypt is a huge favorite in this game and it's no wonder. With the form Egypt is having and the struggles South Africa has with their scoring it's really hard to see South Africa go through. Egypt will score at least once and it might be enough.
Pick for Egypt v South Africa:
Egypt wins & Both Teams To Score - No
LeoVegas 2.02
LegolasBet 1.90
Lapalingo 2.05
OlyBet 1.98
EvoBet 1.90
