Last Updated on January 31, 2024 7:27 pm by Erwin Noguera
One of the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals features the local team, Ivory Coast, against Mali, undefeated in the continental tournament.
In the round of 16, ‘Les Aigles’ defeated Burkina Faso 2-1, with goals by Tapsoba (against) and Lassine Sinayoko.
‘Les Éléphants’ eliminated reigning African champions Senegal after a 1-1 draw in regulation time and a 5-4 win on penalties.
When and Where?
Friday, February 3rd, noon ET at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Moneyline odds:
Mali 3.585
Ivory Coast 2.28
Draw Offs:
3
Where Can I Watch?
Why Bet on Mali?
Mali was not on the shortlist of many pundits, but so far they have played an excellent African Cup, boasting an undefeated record during the competition.
In the quarterfinals, they defeated Burkina Faso 2-1, with goals from Tapsoba (against) and Lassine Sinayoko. Bertrand Traoré was on the scoresheet for his opponent. So far, Mali has two wins and two draws, beating South Africa 2-0 and drawing 1-1 with Tunisia and 0-0 with Namibia.
The ginormous land-locked country has five goals scored and has conceded only two, making it one of the most secure defenses in the competition.
The Malian national team does not have so many prominent names, only Real Sociedad defender Hamari Traoré and Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haiara. The rest of the players are in Europe but in less well-known teams. There is also midfielder Yves Bissouma (Tottenham), who did not see minutes in the last match.
Mali had not reached the quarterfinals of the continental competition since 2013 when they finished third.
Why Bet on Ivory Coast?
Ivory Coast came into this match by chance. After a 4-0 thrashing by Burkina Faso, they were almost eliminated, and coach Jean Louis Gasset was fired for suffering the worst home defeat in the country’s history. However, as fate would have it, the Ivorians made it to the next round as one of the best third-placed teams, and in the round of 16, they made the difference, eliminating defending champions Senegal from the penalty spot after a 1-1 draw in regular time.
The Ivorians now have Emerse Fae as interim coach. The pressure is on him to produce a good Africa Cup of Nations and take over the job for good, to make the nation respect his position.
To that end, the team has several key players, including defender Evan Ndicka, full-back Serge Aurier, midfielders Ibrahim Sangaré and Frank Kessie, and striker Sebastien Haller.
Ivory Coast has scored three goals while conceding six.
Final Betting Analysis: Mali vs. Ivory Coast
The last game between these two teams was for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, and the victory went to the Ivorians 1-0, with winger Wilfried Zaha scoring. They have three unbeaten games with two wins and one draw.
The numbers at Gambyl Exchange have Ivory Coast as the favorite. The Moneyline for them shows 2.28, while Mali has 3.585, and the draw is at 3.
The Africa Cup of Nations in the quarterfinals has an important crossover, where the local, Ivory Coast, will work a new miracle and get its place in the semifinals, leaving Mali out of the competition.
Go for a victory in Ivory Coast’s Moneyline. If you bet $100 at 2.28, you will gain $128 for a total payout of $228.
Mali vs. Ivory Coast Betting Pick: Ivory Coast
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