It’s been a huge week in football, and here at Duelbits we’ve been keeping a close eye on all the major storylines. AFCON is heating up with the quarterfinals now set, the Premier League continues to shift with big managerial moves, and Chelsea have entered a fascinating new chapter under Liam Rosenior. All of this creates strong opportunities for crypto betting, especially across high-profile knockout matches and key league fixtures where form, momentum, and market movement can make a real difference.
With much to discuss, we sat down with Duelbits Ambassador Salomon Kalou to break down the moments that caught his eye and the trends to watch in the days ahead.
With the current AFCON quarterfinalists, who do you see reaching the final, and who’s your favourite to win it?
I still back Nigeria and Ivory Coast. Both teams looked in complete control in the last16; calm, confident, and playing with real authority. If they maintain that level, I can absolutely see them meeting in the final, and either one has what it takes to win the whole tournament.
You’ve been tipping Ivory Coast and Nigeria for some time. What did you make of their last16 performances?
Both teams were very good, calm, controlled, and exactly where you want to be at this stage. Their key players stepped up, and that’s always the difference in knockout football.
Did you see anything from the other teams that gave you reason to be concerned?
Not really. Most of the other teams got the job done, but a few looked less than convincing. Egypt and Algeria both needed extra time, so they can feel a bit fortunate. They’re capable of improving, but if there’s one side that impressed me, it was Senegal. They played with real confidence, and their big players are starting to take responsibility. Sadio Mane got an assist, and when he’s on form, the whole team plays with real confidence.
What did you make of Victor Osimhen’s reaction to Ademola Lookman during the Nigeria v Mozambique match? How would you have handled it?
That’s football. Two top players, both desperate to win, both full of emotion. Moments like that happen in every dressing room and every big match. If anything, I’d encourage that passion, I like players who care. The key is learning how to channel it in the right way. And on the pitch, those two work brilliantly together, so for me it was nothing more than the heat of the moment.
Should Victor Osimhen be punished for his behaviour, and could it affect Nigeria going into the quarterfinal?
No, I don’t think punishment is necessary. I saw situations like that many times in my career. The media made it bigger than it was. Nigeria need unity and focus, that’s their biggest challenge now. They’re playing well enough to win AFCON, but only if everyone stays together and keeps their eyes on the prize.
Ivory Coast’s 3–0 win over Burkina Faso was described as a ‘statement performance’, with Amad Diallo, Diomande and Toure all scoring. How important was that result?
It was massive. Not just the scoreline, but the way they controlled the game. Amad Diallo was at the heart of everything, and Yan Diomande and BazoumanaToure showed they’re ready for the big stage. Performances like that send a message to the rest of the tournament.
With Egypt and Algeria both needing extra time in the last round, do you think fatigue could play a role in the quarterfinals?
It always does. Extra time takes a lot out of you, physically and mentally. At this stage, even a small drop in energy can cost you. Ivory Coast and Nigeria will try to use that to their advantage.
The standout tie of the quarterfinals is Algeria vs Nigeria. Who comes out on top?
It’s the toughest game so far for both teams. It’ll be cagey, very tactical. But with Nigeria’s attacking players hitting form at the right moment, I think they have enough to edge it and go through.
Ivory Coast face Egypt, a tough test for the Elephants. How do you think they’ll fare?
There are a lot of positives for Ivory Coast. Egypt had to go to extra time in their last match, so hopefully we’ll have more energy. Amad Diallo looks unstoppable right now, and against Burkina Faso I thought Diomande and Toure really put themselves in the shop window. I love watching those two, if them and Amad shine again, Ivory Coast have a great chance.
The hosts Morocco take on Cameroon, one of the outsiders. Do you expect Morocco to go through?
Yes. Brahim Díaz is the top scorer and playing with real confidence. Morocco are also very solid defensively, and that’s crucial in knockout football. I don’t see them having major problems against Cameroon.
You mentioned Senegal earlier. They face Mali next, how do you see that one playing out?
I expect Senegal to win, but you can’t overlook Mali. They’re organised, disciplined, and they don’t give much away. Senegal should have enough quality, but it won’t be easy.
What are your thoughts on Chelsea appointing Liam Rosenior? Do you think he can bring something special?
I’m really curious to see how he does. I played against him when he was at Fulham, so I know his character and his competitiveness. He’s done a good job at Strasbourg, and with Chelsea’s ownership model, it’s a bold and interesting move. Sometimes a young coach brings a fresh way of thinking that can transform a team. I hope it works, because Chelsea still have a lot to fight for this season.
As a black man, what does Liam Rosenior’s appointment at Chelsea mean to you?
It’s a significant moment. A bigsix club hasn’t appointed a black manager in decades, Ruud Gullit was the last at Chelsea almost thirty years ago. While it really shouldn’t make any difference, I do hope this opens doors for more black coaches, because the knowledge, the tactical intelligence, the leadership, it’s all there. They just need the opportunities.
Marc Cucurella was sent off in Chelsea's defeat to Fulham, another red card in a big game, following Robert Sanchez against Manchester United and Moises Caicedo against Arsenal earlier in the season. Do the Blues have a disciplinary issue?
Yes, definitely. You can’t hide from that. In the big games, those moments have cost Chelsea, and at this level you get punished straight away. But look, it’s also a young team. They’re still learning how to manage the pressure, how to control the emotions, how to stay calm when everything is moving fast. That discipline comes with maturity. They’ll grow out of it — but right now, it’s something they have to fix.
Several young players have stepped up this season. Who has impressed you the most?
Trevoh Chalobah has really impressed me. He’s not a kid anymore, but the way he’s stepped up as a leader shows real maturity. Estevão has been exciting too, he plays with no fear, always trying to make something happen. And João Pedro has adapted quickly; he looks comfortable in different roles and brings a calmness you don’t often see in young forwards. Those three have shown they’re ready to take responsibility.
How important is it for Chelsea to keep faith in a longterm project?
It’s crucial. You can’t build a winning team if you change direction every six months. Chelsea have invested in young players and a young coach. That only works if you give them time. Stability is the foundation of success.
What do you make of the ownership model and the multiclub structure?
It’s a modern approach, and it can work if the communication is strong. You can develop players, share ideas, and build a clear identity across clubs. We’ve already seen it work with players like Andrey Santos, Kendry Páez and Ben Chilwell, so it’s clearly a system that can produce results. Now it’ll be fascinating to see how it works with a coach as well, because the whole model only succeeds when everyone is aligned, from the academy to the first team.
As someone who played in a very successful Chelsea era, what advice would you give this squad?
Stay patient, stay united, and trust the process. At Chelsea, the pressure is always high, but the players have to focus on improving every day. When the team sticks together, the results follow.
What did you make of Rúben Amorim leaving Manchester United?
It’s always surprising when a project ends so quickly, especially at a club the size of Manchester United. But sometimes the fit just isn’t right, the Premier League is demanding, and the expectations at United are huge. Amorim is a talented coach, he’ll bounce back, but United needed to change it. I like what I’m hearing about the candidates to come in, they know the club inside-out and will uphold the standards that Sir Alex Ferguson had when he was in charge. They were so tough then.
Do you think Arsenal will win the Premier League this season?
Yes, it looks like they will. Being six points clear at this stage is no accident, Arsenal have been the most consistent team in the league. They’ve matured a lot over the last few seasons, and you can see a real belief in the way they play. People always talk about Arsenal ‘bottling it’, but I don’t see that with this group. They’ve shown they can handle pressure, they’ve shown they can win big games, and if they keep this level, they have everything needed to finish the job.
Why have Liverpool fallen off so badly this season?
I don’t think it’s about the coach. Slot proved last season he can win in the Premier League. The issue this year is that some of the new signings haven’t had the impact Liverpool expected. When you refresh a squad, you need two or three players to come in and lift the level straight away, and apart from Ekitike, that hasn’t really happened. The intensity and depth that made Liverpool so strong last season just isn’t there in the same way. In this league, if your recruitment doesn’t hit immediately, you feel it very quickly.
What needs to change for Liverpool to get back to the level they were at last season?
I think Liverpool need to start planning the next phase of the squad. Players like Salah and Van Dijk have been incredible for so many years, but every team eventually has to prepare for that transition. The new signings this season haven’t all delivered what the club expected, so they need a clearer strategy about who becomes the next core of the team. You can’t replace leaders like Salah and Van Dijk overnight, but you can build towards it, and that’s the challenge Liverpool face now.
