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AFCON: West Africa Catching up

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Senegal celebrates

The battle for the 2021 AFCON is over and the highest-ranked African nation, Senegal, has finally bagged the African title after years of failure.

This one was definitely their time, after falling at the last hurdle in the 2019 and 2002 editions. They overcame a slow start to the competition, and an early penalty miss in the final, to see off record-holders Egypt.

This win is Senegal’s, and the manager Aliou Cisse too, after losing two finals, as a player in 2002 and coach in 2019. It is the rebirth of a new golden generation after the 2002 team failed to hit the expected highs. On a broader view, however, Senegal’s win is a win for West Africa, as the region now has four teams that have won the African title.

Senegal’s win at AFCON 2021 is a precursor to a brewing rivalry with Egypt. The two nations are set to face off twice again in their immediate fixtures, another contest but this time for a bigger prize – a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and the betting sign up offers on Wincomparator will just serve to spice things up. Among the top bookies, 1XBet stands out with a bonus of up to €130 while 22Bet has one of up to €122 and Betsson €125 among others.

As Africa shifts focus to the World Cup qualifiers in March, West Africa is still playing catch up to North Africa as far as AFCON titles per region are concerned. North Africa has in Egypt the most successful African nation in football, with seven African titles. No team in Africa has won six. North Africa has 11 titles; Algeria is the second-best after Egypt with two while Morocco and Tunisia have each managed one.

The closest challenger to Egypt is Cameroon, which is more in the Central African part than the West. Cameroon have five titles so far; their fifth having come at the expense of Egypt in 2017. Their race for a sixth on home soil was ended by Egypt in the semi-finals. Central Africa has eight African titles – DR Congo having won two and Congo-Brazzaville with one.

After Senegal’s win, West Africa is now just one title behind North Africa; there are 10 African titles in the region. Ghana leads the pack here, having bagged four titles, followed by Nigeria with three, Ivory Coast with two and now first-time winners Senegal.

The two regions still lagging way behind are Southern Africa and East Africa. Each one of these has two titles. In Southern Africa, Zambia has one and the Republic of South Africa has one. South Africa won theirs in 1996 and Zambia claimed the big prize in 2012.

In East Africa, Ethiopia and Sudan were the only nations to have lifted the AFCON title. Teams from this region are normally eliminated early and even the quality of players from the region don’t match up to their mates in the other regions.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Italy-Germany: Is There a Favorite in the Nations League Quarter-finals

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Italy Nations League

Italy and Germany have played many matches in their history. But none of them left fans in confusion and boredom. Often, these matches are accompanied by a vivid heat, and analysts forming both team to score predictions will not be far from the truth.

Each match between these teams is a separate football story. They approach the quarter-final duel in the Nations League in interesting line-ups with good opportunities. Let’s try to predict the result of the confrontation together with the analysts of xGscore.io.

Concerns about Italy have been debunked

Italy has finally experienced a generational change. If at Euro 2024 they almost failed (losing to Switzerland in the 1/8 finals), then in the League of Nations on equal terms with France and could take first place in the group. Therefore, most predictions for soccer have become more favorable to this team.

The team has one of the best goalkeepers in the world Gianluigi Donnarruma. Apart from him, the following are performing well:

Calafiori;
Frattesi;
Retegui;
Raspadori;
Barella.

Also, young and gifted players (Daniel Maldini, etc) are being brought up. Therefore, Luciano Spalletti has a lot to choose from. All that remains is to pick the right squad, and this specialist will have no problems with it. And it is also necessary to take into account the capabilities and discipline of the German national team.

Will Germany be able to become a Bundesmachine again?

Germany is already becoming a machine. The team at the Euros lost to future winners Spain in a difficult encounter (the penalty on Cucurella was discussed for a long time). In the Nations League, the team showed itself perfectly, winning 4 matches and taking first place in the group. However, there were still questions about the team’s stability. At times, it failed, and the match with Hungary is proof of that.

Gernany Nations League

The goalkeeper position is the most questionable in the squad. After the end of Manuel Neuer's career in the national team, the goalkeeper position can be closed by Nubel or Baumann. In other positions, Nagelsmann has a good selection of players from German and top European clubs. Their discipline should help the team score well. But recently, their defense has not been as reliable as always (in 3 matches the team conceded in the group stage).

Match prediction

Despite Italy’s readiness in this case, Nagelsmann’s men should still be favored for experience and cohesion. Yes, it will not be an easy victory, and most likely Retegui will find his moment and Scuadra will score. But the Bundesmachine is still predicted to win, albeit with a minimum score. This is indicated by the cohesion of their team and the chemistry between the players. Italy still has top players, but even from different championships.

Therefore, we predict a victory for Germany, but it will not be easy.

Conclusion

Analysts of xGscore.io carefully check all the matches between the teams and their readiness to play in optimal lineups. It is not a problem for Germany and Italy to find strong players, even if someone can’t come to the game. But in this case, the team’s approach in excellent conditions. Scoring Retegui allows the Scuadra to count on goals. But overall, as a team, it is Germany that will look more favorable.

Please note that the forecast does not guarantee successful bets. Football is bright emotions and unpredictable matches. So, enjoy the game and make your predictions, but take into account the opinion of our experts.

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1xbet: Tips for Betting on Badminton Matches

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Bet on Badminton at 1xbet

Badminton is considered a very popular sport in Nigeria due to its dynamic and tradition of playing. But you can not only watch and enjoy the matches, but also earn money on betting thanks to 1xbet. How can this be done effectively?

Popular Types of Badminton Betting

Before you start betting, it is important to understand which markets are available and how they work. Here are the main options that are used in 1xbet:

  • Direct bets. Direct betting is the simplest and most common type of betting. It involves choosing one aspect of the match, such as the Winner of the match or More/Less;
  • Betting on the match (money line). This type of betting is similar to direct betting on the winner. You choose the player or team that you think will win. This is the most popular option among beginners;
  • Handicap betting. A handicap is used to equalize the odds when one of the players is clearly stronger;
  • Betting on a set. In badminton, you can bet not only on the entire match, but also on individual sets;
  • The bids are “more/less”. This type of betting allows you to predict the total number of points scored in a match;
  • Even/odd bets. Here you predict whether the total points in a match will be even or odd. This is a simple but less popular type of betting.

How to Bet on Badminton at 1xbet

If you decide to try your hand at betting on badminton on the 1xbet website, then follow these steps:

  1. First of all, go to the official website of the best bookmaker for betting on badminton 1xBet, which offers a wide range of markets and competitive odds.
  2. Register using one of the following methods: 1 click, via email address, phone number, or via social media. Create an account on the platform, specifying the necessary data.
  3. After registration, you will be transferred to your personal account, where in the deposits section you will be able to choose a convenient payment method (bank cards, electronic wallets, cryptocurrencies) and make a deposit.
  4. Go to the badminton section in the sports betting category and check out the available events. Pay attention to famous tournaments such as World Superseries, Thomas Cup or Uber Cup.
  5. Select the outcome you are interested in and add it to the coupon. Specify the bid amount and confirm it.

After the match is over, check the results and, if your bet has played, you will receive a win.

Tips and Strategies for Successful Badminton Betting at 1xBet

To increase your chances of success, use the following tips:

  • Follow the forecasts of the experts. Join badminton communities and listen to the opinions of popular bloggers and experts to gain access to professional forecasts and analyses. This will help you better understand the current shape of the players and their chances of winning;
  • Enjoy the small victories. Don’t immediately aim for big wins. A series of small wins may turn out to be more profitable and safer in the long run;
  • Manage your bankroll. One of the main secrets of successful betting is proper bankroll management. Set betting limits (for example, 1-5% of your bankroll per bet) and never exceed them.

Common Mistakes in Betting on Badminton at 1xBet

In the pursuit of winnings, anyone can start making mistakes that eventually risk unpleasant consequences and loss of money. Avoid the following situations when betting on badminton:

  • Ignorance of badminton rules. Many players start betting without understanding the basic rules of the game. This often leads to errors and losses. Take the time to learn badminton before you start playing for real money;
  • Ignoring the form and injuries of the players. Even the best players can lose if they are out of shape or have injuries. Check the statistics of the latest matches and follow the news about the health of athletes;
  • Emotional stakes. One of the biggest mistakes is betting on your favorite player without taking into account the data and statistics. Sports betting requires a logical approach, not emotions.

Conclusions

With the help of badminton betting at 1xBet, you can experience excitement and make good money. To succeed, it is important not only to count on luck, but also to analyze the situation and listen to recommendations. Use these tips to minimize the risks and increase your chances of winning.

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GOtv Boxing Night, Flykite Productions Mourn Olanrewaju

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Segun Success Olanrewaju

GOtv Boxing Night, Africa’s premier boxing event sponsored by GOtv, and Flykite Productions, the show’s organisers, have expressed deep sadness over the passing of Segun “Success” Olanrewaju.

The former national champion and West African Boxing Union (WABU) champion tragically collapsed and died in the ring early on Sunday morning in Accra, Ghana.

In a statement released on Sunday, Flykite Productions described Olanrewaju’s untimely death as a significant loss to Nigerian boxing, noting that he was a boxer from whom great expectations were held. Flykite Productions highlighted that Olanrewaju participated in five editions of GOtv Boxing Night.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Olanrewaju’s death,” the statement said. “He was not only a highly promising boxer but also a valued member of the GOtv Boxing Night family. He was a regular presence at GOtv Boxing Night, both as a boxer and as a fan. He would have attended the next edition on 26 April, but for this unfortunate development.

“We express our heartfelt condolences to his family, the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control and Nigeria’s boxing fraternity as a whole. We pray to God to give the family the fortitude to cope with the loss.”

The late boxer made his debut at GOtv Boxing Night 20, where he triumphed over the highly rated Adewale “Masevex” Masebinu. He continued his success at GOtv Boxing Night 22, defeating Timothy “Nsiefinagajie” Gonze, and at the 23rd edition, he overcame Fatai “Hit Man” Balogun. In the 24th edition, he claimed victory against David “Awosika Cosmos” and also defeated Victor Bennett at the 25th edition.

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