Mauritania, disappointed after their initial defeat to Burkina Faso, is determined to bounce back as they face Angola in the Africa Cup of Nations clash at Stade de la Paix on Saturday.
In their Group D opener, the Lions of Chinguetti experienced a setback, succumbing to a late penalty against Burkina Faso, ultimately converted by Bertrand Traore, resulting in a 1-0 loss.
Despite the defeat, Amir Abdou’s team earned praise for their defensive effort and controlled aggression against the Stallions, limiting their opponents’ opportunities throughout the match.
Eager to add more attacking prowess against Angola, Mauritania relies on their solid defensive foundation to give them an edge in the upcoming game.
Having yet to secure maximum points at AFCON, Saturday’s match provides another chance for the Lions of Chinguetti to secure their first victory at the continental showpiece in their eighth appearance.
Abdou emphasizes the need for his team to replicate the intensity displayed against Burkina Faso, setting the stage for a competitive encounter against Angola.
On the other side, Palancas Negras are keen to build on their performance against 2019 champions Algeria as they enter their second Group D fixture at AFCON 2023.
Pedro Goncalves’s squad started slowly against North Africans, narrowly avoiding falling behind 2-0 in the first half when Baghdad Bounedjah’s acrobatic goal was disallowed for offside.
Angola’s fortunes changed in the second half as they responded strongly, creating promising counter-attack situations that were hindered by suboptimal execution until their 68th-minute equalizer from Mabululu’s penalty.
With a valuable point earned against Algeria, Angola understands that success against the Lions of Chinguetti virtually secures their spot in the round of 16.
Examining the recent form, Mauritania’s AFCON record stands at a loss, while their overall competition form reads WLLDDL. In contrast, Angola has drawn their AFCON game and maintains an overall form of DDDDWD.
As the two teams prepare to clash on Saturday, the narrative unfolds with Mauritania seeking redemption, and Angola aiming to solidify their position in the tournament. The outcome remains uncertain, but the stage is set for an intense battle at Stade de la Paix.
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