One question members of our online sports betting community have been asking is **“what is the best formation that guarantees victory in the AFCON?”** Honestly, that’s a tough one simply because there isn’t one. In the last AFCON edition, Senegal clinched their first trophy using a **4-3-3** formation. Before them, **Algeria** triumphed in 2019 using a traditional **4-4-2** setup, utilizing Riyad Mahrez and Sofiane Feghouli on the flanks. In the 2017 tournament in Gabon, Cameroon claimed the title with a **4-2-3-1** formation. Coincidentally, they beat Hector Cooper’s Egypt who played the same formation. Nigerian fans would fondly remember that the last time the Super Eagles won the AFCON in 2013, the late Stephen Keshi made tactical adjustments as the tournament went on, finally settling on a **4-2-1-3** system that proved successful. Hervé Renard etched his name in the history books of African football by winning the AFCON with two teams, and even he did it with different tactical approaches. First, he won it with Zambia in 2012 while playing a traditional **4-4-2** formation, before leading **Ivory Coast** to glory in 2015 using the **3-4-3.** Interestingly, the most successful AFCON team in the modern era, **Egypt** , secured three consecutive titles between 2006 and 2010, employing a 3-5-2 formation. So, as you may have deduced, there is no primary formation that guarantees high odds of winning the AFCON. While a specific formation may not assure success, there is a tactical ideology that consistently leads to top results in the AFCON — a defensive and rugged approach. [As outlined in this analytical piece,](https://m.betking.com/blog/betting-tips/afcon-2024-analytics/) there has been a steady decline in goals per game at the AFCON. The teams that prioritize an impenetrable defense fare better, suggesting that triumph is more closely associated with defensive solidity rather than relying solely on offensive excellence. In a lot of ways, the Super Eagles of Nigeria who have recently experimented with the 4-2-4 hybrid formation to make the most of their rich attacking pool of players are getting it wrong and could suffer an embarrassing exit if they maintain that mindset. One of our betting tips is the continuation of the decl
Leading up to this AFCON, one team notably stands out for its defensive strategy—the **Atlas Lions of Morocco.** Their successful use of the 4-3-3 formation during the FIFA World Cup set them apart, as they became the first African and Arab nation to reach the tournament's semi-finals. In that campaign, they kept five clean sheets in eight games, and during the AFCON qualifiers, they kept clean sheets in 50% of their matches. In the eight games post-World Cup, Morocco has sustained their defensive excellence by securing clean sheets in five matches, with South Africa remaining the only African team to score against them in a competitive game since mid-June 2022. As they prepare for Ivory Coast 2023, Morocco's manager, Walid Regragui, has assembled a squad with a balanced mix of youth and experience, and the 4-3-3 formation appears to be the ideal set-up for fully capitalizing on the talents within the squad. The midfield trio, comprising a combination of Azzedine Ounahi, Oussama El Azzouzi, Amine Harit, Bilal El Khannouss, and Sofyan Amrabat, plays narrowly, providing a solid shield for the back-four. This setup also allows the attack-minded fullbacks, Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui, the freedom to overlap and contribute creatively. With Hakim Ziyech and the young Amine Adli on the wings, Morocco also boasts creative wingers representing both the old and new generations, bringing diverse levels of playmaking to the squad. You can take advantage of our many bet offers that support a successful tournament for the Atlas Lions.
Should the stars align, there's a possibility that the 4-3-3 formation could emerge as the winning tactic for the second consecutive tournament. Notably, other tournament favorites, including hosts Ivory Coast, defending champions Senegal, and Algeria, also employ the 4-3-3 formation. This widespread adoption significantly increases the likelihood of this tactical setup being the formation for the eventual champion. What do you think? Let us know in the comments and [Register with BetKing](https://m.betking.com/account/registration) to get value for your money by betting on [AFCON football matches today.](https://m.betking.com/sports/events/prematch/football/africa-cup-of-nations/2023-afcon)