Mauritania beat Central African Republic 3-1 in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying

Mauritania made a winning start to their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Central African Republic in Match Round 1.

Mauritania

Central African Republic

Substitutions:

Mauritania

• Nouh Mohamed El Abd (Mamadou Diallo, 83)
• Aly Abeid (Abdallahi Mahmoud, 83)
• Dawda Camara Sankharé
• Djeidi Gassama

Central African Republic

• Edwin Quarshie (James Emmanuel Okeke, 63)
• Badara Diomandé (Isaac Solet Bomawoko, 64)
• Goduine Koyalipou (Séverin Tatolna, 83)
• Moustapha Djimet
• Salomon Sambia

Ball possession:

Aboubakary Koita opened the scoring for Mauritania in the 32nd minute before Goduine Koyalipou equalised for Central African Republic shortly after half-time.

Passes:

The hosts restored their lead through Dawda Camara Sankharé in the 69th minute, and Mamadou Diallo completed the scoring with an 89th-minute strike to secure all three points.

Defense:

Mauritania started brightly and were rewarded when Koita found the net in the 32nd minute to put his side 1-0 up. Central African Republic responded after the interval, with Koyalipou bringing the visitors level in the 48th minute.

Face-to-face:

The equaliser briefly shifted the momentum, but Mauritania regained control and went back in front when Sankharé scored 21 minutes from time. Central African Republic were unable to find another response, and Diallo’s late goal confirmed Mauritania’s opening-round victory.

Fouls:

• Yellow cards:
• Nouh Mohamed El Abd (Mauritania) at 42 minute
• Edwin Quarshie (Central African Republic) at 29 minute
• Dominique Youfeigane (Central African Republic) at 31 minute
• Julien Kouadio (Central African Republic) at 60 minute
• Red cards:
• Julien Kouadio (Central African Republic) at 74 minute

Penalties in a match:

• Aboubakary Koita (Mauritania) at 32 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• Mauritania – W
• Central African Republic – L

Top 5 Africa Cup of Nations – Qualification scorers:

Line-ups:

Next games:

• Mauritania will play with Benin. September 29 at 17:00 (GMT), on None.
• Central African Republic will play with Burkina Faso. September 28 at 16:00 (GMT), on None.