2023 AFCON: Mauritania v Angola report

The second match on day eight of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations produced a thriller as Angola beat Mauritania 3-2 at the Stade de la Paix.

Date: 20 January 2024

Mauritania (1) 2 (Amar 43′, Koita 58′)

Angola (1) 3 (Dala 30′, 50′, Gilberto 53′)

Mauritania: B. Niasse, I. Keita, N. El Abd, L. Ba, A. Abeid (K. Diaw 46′), O. Gassama, G. Fofana (A. Kamara 59′), M. Bodda, S. Amar (H. Tanjy 81′), P. Ba (S. Doukara 59′), A. Koita.

Angola: Neblu, E. Afonso, K. Gaspar, J. Buatu, N. Fortuna, Fredy (Quinito 86′), Show, Gilberto (Z. Luvumbo 78′), G. Dala (Estrela 86′), Zini (M. Keliano 61′), Mabululu.

First 45′: The first half was evenly contested between the two teams, who looked to take shots at every opportunity. Mabululu drew a fine save out of Babacar Niasse with a strike from the right side of the box on 13 minutes, while Pape Ba tested Neblu for the first time in the 29th minute. The deadlock was eventually broken moments later at the other end as Gelson Dala scored from close range after a corner dropped at his feet, but the Lions of Chinguetti equalised two minutes before half-time through a rasping shot from Sidi Amar inside the area.

Second 45′: The Black Sable Antelopes made a dream start to the second half, with Dala lobbing the goalkeeper from inside the box on 50 minutes after he was allowed the carry the ball a long way and Gilberto quickly extended their lead three minutes later from an acute angle after he won the ball back inside the opposition penalty area. But Aboubakary Koita pulled one back for the Northwestern Africans five minutes later with a thunderbolt from range that arced into the top left corner of the net. Pedro Goncalves’ side looked to sit back in the closing stages to defend their narrow lead and Mauritania couldn’t take advantage.

What the result means: Angola moved to the top of Group D on four points ahead of Burkina Faso on goals scored, while Mauritania exited the tournament after collecting no points from their opening two matches following back-to-back defeats.

What’s next: The Black Sable Antelopes will look to secure top spot when they face the Stallions on Tuesday, January 23 at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro and the Lions of Chinguetti will attempt to cause an upset against Algeria in Bouake at the same time.