Mauritania’s presence at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations marks a historic milestone for the country and is the result of years of careful development in its football program. Since 2012, French coach Patrice Neveu laid the foundations for Mauritanian football, guiding the team to their first continental competition at the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN). Later that year, Corentin Martins took over and continued the work, building a team capable of competing at higher levels.
Under Martins’ leadership, Mauritania qualified for its second consecutive CHAN tournament in 2018, demonstrating steady progress and growing consistency. The following year, the Mourabitounes achieved a landmark accomplishment: qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations for the very first time. Their qualification is a testament to years of planning, development, and the strategic guidance of their coaching staff.
Mauritania’s path to AFCON 2019 was convincing. During the qualifiers, they secured their spot well before the final matchday, underscoring the effectiveness of Martins’ approach. Placed in Group I alongside Angola, Burkina Faso, and Botswana, Mauritania finished second in the group with 12 points, equal to group leaders Angola, reflecting the team’s competitiveness and tactical growth.
For this historic debut, Mauritania has been drawn into a challenging group, and their first AFCON match will be against Mali on Monday, June 24, at 8 p.m. GMT. This game marks a significant moment for the Mourabitounes, as they step onto Africa’s biggest football stage for the first time.
Mauritania’s journey to Egypt illustrates the rewards of long-term planning, consistent coaching, and the development of a competitive squad. With their debut secured, the team now has the opportunity to test itself against some of the continent’s strongest sides, creating a new chapter in the nation’s football history.
