Tuenze Syndicate Members,
Enough esoteric prattling,
Let’s Rock the Lines! As is our custom,
we’ll review the rules first. Note that we’ll continue to roll with the system
we reverted back to in 2015. It keeps your friendly bookie’s workload lighter and
a precise line should count as a draw anyway.
So spaketh your your friendly bookie.
Onwards to the lines, right after we review the rules.
So spaketh your your friendly bookie.
Onwards to the lines, right after we review the rules.
A QUICK REVIEW OF THE RULES
Ghana vs. Morocco
vs. 
The Line: Ghana +3 Goals
The Favorite (Ghana) is
favored to win by 3 goals. If you bet on Morocco, there are three ways you can
win the bet:
1) Morocco loses by less than
3 goals.
2) Match is a draw
3) Morocco wins
Conversely, there is only one
way to win if you bet on Ghana
1) Ghana wins by more than 3
goals
Should Ghana win by precisely
3 goals, THE BET IS A WASH. THE BET IS A TIE. NO ONE OWES ANYONE ANYTHING.
As always, the bookie
reserves the right to roll the line should too much money come in on one side.
Rest assured, however, that your friendly AND fastidious bookie makes note of
ALL electronic time-stamps and wagers will be accepted on a first-come,
first-serve basis.
Alles klar? Off we go on our
third African Adventure.
Saturday,
January 14th
Gabon vs. Guinea-Bissau
vs. 
Hoping for plenty of goals
early and often in this one as the hosts look to get off to a furious start in
front of 40,000 rabid fans at the Stade d’Amitie in Libreville. Yes, there’s a
gleaming high-capacity stadium in what one might consider the “Fourth World”.
Who built it? Why, the Chinese of course! As I mentioned in my opening rant,
globalization cannot be stopped.
Syndicate Members who make
their wagers based solely upon the FIFA Rankings may wish to take advantage of
this line. The Djurtus are highly overrated in this bookie’s estimation.
Moreoever, Aubameyang and Evouna are in lethal form.
Big win for the hosts on Day
One.
THE LINE: Gabon +2 Goals
Burkina Faso vs. Cameroon
vs. 
Excellent West African
Rivalry in the Nightcap. Difficult to see much between the teams, particularly
if my projected lineups are anywhere near accurate. Both teams possess strong
midfields consisting of players who might not have much appetite to make the
match lateral.
Strong possibility that these
two sides will cancel one another out.
Bookie picks a draw.
THE LINE: Pick em’
Sunday,
January 15th
Algeria vs. Zimbabwe
vs. 
Oh Christ this one is going
to be a slaughter. The Foxes are obscenely strong up front. The have so many
offensive threats. Didn’t mention this in the write-up, but I personally was
shocked to discover that strong attackers like Sofiane Fegholi, Ryad
Boudedhouz, and Yasine Benezia didn’t even make the final cut! That’s how
loaded they are!
Riyah Mahrez should encounter
zero problems in his direction and distribution. Don’t be surprised if this
Line rolls up even further.
THE LINE: Algeria +3 Goals
Tunisia vs. Senegal
vs. 
As much as I like Sadio Mane’s
current form, the experienced Tunsian centerbacks should have no problem
closing him down provided they stay disciplined and organized. Diouf will need
to press forward and get especially creative if he’s to find a way around the
Eagles’ “Pocket-Style 4-5-1”.
Not really liking the Lion’s
chances here. Hard to see how long-upfield balls are going to do much good.
THE LINE: Tunisia +1 Goal
Monday,
January 16th
Cote d’Ivoire vs. Togo
vs. 
The Sparrow Hawks just have
no goddamned luck. Really? Now they have to debut against the Defending Champs;
a team that out-matches them on literally every area of the pitch? Not looking
too good.
Nevertheless, your friendly
bookie prognosticates a close match. Kalou, Bony, Gradel, and Serey Die find
themselves in lousy form. It will take some time for the new-look Elephants to
find their chemistry, if they indeed manage to find it at all. Not a lot of
time for them to start clicking in this tournament. We should know their
ultimate fate before too long.
THE LINE: Cote d’Ivoire +1 Goal
Congo DR vs. Morocco
vs.
Another draw seems likely,
with the Lions of the Atlas fielding a conservative lineup clearly designed to
do little other than counter punch. I’ll nonetheless forecast that Mbokani or
Mulumbu will find their way through eventually.
Should be a tightly contested
match much of the way, with a fatigued concentration lapse yielding a late
goal.
THE LINE: Congo DR +1 Goal
Tuesday,
January 17th
Ghana vs. Uganda
vs. 
Another Slaughter. Welcome
the grand stage, Cranes. This matchup is lopsided enough before one factors in “opening
night jiiters”. Avram will field his eleven carefully.
Gyan, Ayew, Agyemang-Badu….and
Gyan again ; )
THE LINE: Ghana + 3 Goals
Mali vs. Egypt
vs. 
Rather intriguing one here as
the Les Aigles do possess the attacking prowess to pick apart a projected 4-5-1.
Oh..your friendly bookie wished hit his “UPSET ALERT” button…but will hold off
for now ; )
THE LINE: Egypt +1 Goal
GENTLEMEN,
ENTER YOUR WAGERS
