How to Bet on AFCON
Betting on the Africa Cup of Nations runs from one long outright bet to a full card of markets on every match. Here is how each works, with the knockout-round settling rules made clear.
The main markets
- Outright winner — one nation to win the tournament; see the AFCON odds page.
- Match result — the winner of a single game, with a draw priced in the group stage.
- Over/under goals — over or under a goals line, which suits AFCON's often low-scoring games; see over/under betting.
- Both teams to score — whether each side finds the net; see both teams to score.
- Draw no bet — stake returned if it ends level, useful in tight group games; see draw no bet.
- To qualify — in the knockouts, which team advances, including extra time and penalties.
The knockout settling caveat
This trips up new bettors: in the knockout rounds, the standard match result (or 90-minute) market usually settles on the score after 90 minutes only — so a game that goes to extra time or penalties can settle as a draw on that market. To bet on who actually goes through, use the to qualify market, which includes extra time and penalties. In a tight group game, draw no bet returns your stake if it ends level. An accumulator across group favourites is popular but risky — one upset and it is gone. See the AFCON betting guide for the full picture and the AFCON predictions page for our take.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest AFCON bet to start with?
The match result — simply backing the winner of a single game, with a draw priced in the group stage. From there, over/under goals and to-qualify markets add value.
Does a knockout match result include extra time?
Usually not. The standard match-result market settles on 90 minutes, so a tie going to extra time or penalties can settle as a draw. Use the 'to qualify' market to bet on who actually advances.