Benin beat Mauritania 2-1 as R. Aloko scores twice in AFCON qualifying

Benin earned a 2-1 victory over Mauritania in Match Round 2 of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, with R. Aloko scoring either side of half-time before Aboubakary Koita pulled one back for the visitors.

Benin

Mauritania

Substitutions:

Benin

• J. Olaitan (D. Dokou, 81)
• Y. Ouorou (O. Tessilimi, 81)
• R. Aloko (M. Ahlinvi, 87)
• A. Tosin (S. Attidjikou, 90)

Mauritania

• Abdallahi Mahmoud (Mamadou Fofana, 57)
• Mohamed Ali Diadie (Hemeya Tanjy, 76)
• Dawda Camara Sankharé (Abdoullah Ba, 76)
• Oumar Ngom

Ball possession:

Aloko put Benin ahead in the 31st minute and doubled the advantage shortly after the restart, scoring in the 46th minute. Mauritania improved in the closing stages and Koita reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but Benin held on for an important three points.

Passes:

The result gives Benin early momentum in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, while Mauritania will reflect on a match in which they created pressure late on but were unable to find an equaliser.

Defense:

Benin made the stronger start and were rewarded when Aloko broke the deadlock after 31 minutes. The forward was again decisive immediately after the interval, scoring in the 46th minute to give his side a two-goal cushion.

Face-to-face:

Mauritania refused to surrender and Koita, who was the visitors’ most active player in terms of shooting, brought them back into the contest with a goal in the 80th minute.

Fouls:

• Yellow cards:
• C. Azongnitode (Benin) at 66 minute

Penalties in a match:

• Aboubakary Koita (Mauritania) at 80 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• Benin – WD
• Mauritania – LW

Top 5 Africa Cup of Nations – Qualification scorers:

1. None (6, Mauritius)
2. E. Colley (3, Gambia)
3. Hazem Mastouri (2, Tunisia)
4. Chamito (2, Mozambique)
5. Franculino Djú (2, Guinea-Bissau)

Line-ups:

Next games:

• Benin will play with Central African Republic. November 11 at 17:00 (GMT), on None.
• Mauritania will play with Burkina Faso. November 11 at 17:00 (GMT), on None.