From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

Interbet are offering an exciting opportunity to gamble on your favourite African team in the upcoming World Cup.

The Goal Guru has been burning the midnight oil, checking out the credentials of all ten African sides that have qualified for the grand tournament. Of course, it’s the range of differing opinions that make for fascinating debate and a wide spread of bets at fluctuating odds. 

What follows are short profiles of each team, arranged alphabetically, to help fans make reasoned selections.

The Interbet World Cup Africa pool covers ten matches, starting Thursday 11th June when South Africa takes on hosts, Mexico. 

Up to R2 million may be won if calling all results in the sequence featuring African teams, correctly.

ALGERIA (Group J) Manager Vlad Petkovic has a technically competent group of players using a control- based style. They qualified for the World Cup without undue fuss, though their Afcon display was underwhelming. Riyad Mahrez is their go-to guy, though don’t underestimate the goal scoring capabilities of Mohammed Amoura, who scored ten goals in ten appearances. He is adaptable, able to play either left wing or striker. Amine Gouri and Ibrahim Maza are other key squad members for the Desert Warriors.

CAPE VERDE (Group H) The smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup based on actual land mass and the second least populous country (after Iceland) with just half a million islanders. The expectation is that these plucky underdogs, who somehow kept seven clean sheets across ten qualifying games under manager Bubista, will be swept aside by mighty Spain, and Uruguay. But they do carry shock potential and could conceivably finish ahead of unstable, Saudi Arabia who controversially sacked manager, Renard in April.

COTE D’IVOIRE (Group E) They were surprise victors of Afcon in 2023 and got to the quarters in 2025. Though unlikely to trouble Germany or Ecuador, a third-place finish ahead of 5000/1 Curacao should be enough to progress. They will look to score goals though rapid counter-attacks by zippy forwards, Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande.

DR CONGO (Group K) This is the Leopards first World Cup since 1974 To make it they beat Cameroon in extra time, Nigeria on penalties, then Jamaica in extra time so they clearly have big match temperament and resilience. This Congo outfit is hard-working, press high and try to dominate possession. They are solid defensively yet have some good attacking numbers, too. Followers of the Premier League will recognise, Wan Bissaka, Wissa, Tuanzebe, Sadiki and Masuaka in the squad. With Cedric Bakumba a goal scoring threat – the Leopards have reasonable claims to progress from the group stages, even if Portugal and Columbia prove superior.

EGYPT (Group G) Egypt may historically be the most successful African nation (seven Afcon titles) but, somewhat bizarrely, have yet to win a match at the World Cup in a miserly four appearances since debuting in 1934. But the signs are imminent that this could be a breakout for the Pharoah’s. They were excellent in qualifying, using a contain- in- a- low block strategy, then countering swiftly by using the pace of Omar Marmosuh and Mo Salah. The legendary, Salah is just two goals away from equalling the all- time Egyptian top goalscorer record held by current manager, Hossam Hussan.

GHANA (Group L) The awesome generation of the 2010 World Cup were cruelly denied a semi-final place by a cheating Suarez’ handball. But those glory days lie in the past. Kuffour, Essien and Gyan helped Ghana attain a FIFA ranking just outside the top ten, but the current reality is that they are not anywhere near as good with a FIFA Rank of 74. The Black Stars hopes are pinned on star winger Mohammed Kudus (battling hamstring injuries this year and a doubtful starter) and high-profile Manchester City forward, Antoine Semenyo. Captain Jordan Ayew is a class act too, putting in pivotal shifts in qualification and, as designated penalty taker, could well get on the score sheet.

MOROCCO (Group C) Morocco remarkably reached the semis at the last World Cup, beating Belgium, Spain and Portugal before being stopped by France. Coach Walid Regragui subsequently sustained that epic showing as they went 19 straight wins up to December 2025 before the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations drama with Senegal where they lost an epic, though the result continues to be disputed. It remains to be seen how all the controversy, and the March resignation of their inspiring manager, will affect their form in the U.S. of A.

SENEGAL (Group I) Has a neatly prepared, well-balanced squad full of quality. They can hold their own against any team in the world on their day and crucially they have strength in depth which will help in the expected sweltering heat during an arduous campaign. Much respected but they find themselves in an extremely difficult group with France, Norway and Iraq.

SOUTH AFRICA (Group A) How will Bafana Bafana cope on the biggest stage of all, facing hosts Mexico on Day 1, just as they did the last time “The Boys” played in the World Cup 16 years ago? That game ended 1-1 – remember Siphiwe Tshabalala famously blasting the wickedly spinning “Jabulani” ball for the opening goal amidst a cacophony of Vuvuzela’s! Hugo Broos has done a fine job using a motivated and cohesive squad of domestically based players. Some represent Mamelodi Sundowns, who performed with distinction at the 2025 Club World Cup and won the African Champions League, so are up to competing at the top level. That said, South Africa’s proud soccer representatives now face their greatest test of character and skill.

TUNISIA (Group F) They may be outsiders in this group but are a side with strong defence, keeping a clean sheet in their ten qualifying games and scoring 22 goals, albeit against dodgy rivals such as Namibia and Liberia who are ranked way down at 120th and 140th in the World. Taking on Japan, Netherlands and Sweden could be too daunting a challenge for Sabri Lamouchi’s, Tunisia.

Good luck with your wagers - and enjoy the soccer!