Top African Team Betting Odds: Who Could Go Furthest in Russia?

In World Cup history, Ghana almost made it in 2010 in South Africa. Two other African teams have so far reached quarter-finals including Cameron in 1990 and Senegal in 2002. Both lost during extra time. Although Africa exports some of the best footballers in the globe, World Cup finals are always not an easy feat for the African teams. This time we count on Senegal as the top African team betting odds favourites, despite being the late comers to the tournament. Here is why.

16 Years Since Senegal Burst On To the World Cup Scene

This is only a second time for Senegal to play in a World Cup. Other four African teams qualified to the World Cup in Russia 2018 – Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt – have participated many more times, yet no one could impress the world as Senegal did 16 years ago, according to online sportsbook news in Senegal.  

In South Korea and Japan in 2002, Senegal took the tournament by storm, with a stunning victory over holders France in the opening match. They reached the last eight in their first ever World Cup under Captain Aliou Cisse who is leading the team nowadays as a head couch. With experience and confidence, we expect Senegal to put up a magnificent show in Russia.

Senegal Lands in a Balanced Group

Senegal have been placed in a balanced group, together with Poland, Columbia and Japan, increasing their chances to progress to the round 16. Unlike Nigeria who will face powerhouses Argentina and Croatia, Morocco have to annoy Spain and Portugal, and Tunisia have to defeat England or Belgium.

Although the Teranga Lions are ranked 27 on FIFA list, online betting sites in Senegal suggest current crop of players to do even better than their predecessors. With Keita Balde from Monaco and Liverpool’s star Sadio Mane, Senegal national team are expected to present better organization, pace and strength than the other African teams.

Top African Team Betting Odds

At Betvictor Sportsbook Senegal are the favourites with (3.25) odds to go furthest in Russia, compared to other African teams. Yet the Pharaohs are also expected to progress, having been seeded with host Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Their odds are (3.5) to be the best African team in the tournament. Yet that will largely depend on whether the top Premier League striker Mo Salah gets fit on time.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles enjoy same (3.5) odds like Egypt, perhaps because this is their sixth time in the tournament, which makes them regular world cup players. But they had very poor performance in preceding years, winning just one game in World Cup finals since 2002. Morocco and Tunisia with (8) odds are unlikely to progress, due to their very difficult groups. So would you place a wager on Senegal to be top African team betting odds favourites, and would they make it this time to the semi-finals?

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