Ahead of Cape Verde: “Al-Murabitun” – 8 rofessionals and an obscure league

The Mauritanian national football team, historically less prominent in Africa until their inaugural participation in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, continues to make waves, securing a historic qualification for the Round of 16 in the current edition hosted by Ivory Coast.

The Arab team earned this achievement by defeating Algeria 1-0 in the final group stage match, setting the stage for a showdown with Cape Verde on Monday.

“Al-Murabitun” managed to qualify for the Round of 16 for the first time as one of the best fourth-placed teams, accumulating three points in Group D.

Despite two narrow losses to Angola (2-3) and Burkina Faso (0-1) in the final moments, the Mauritanian team showcased a commendable performance, coming close to at least a draw in both encounters.

A noteworthy aspect of Mauritania’s qualification is the infusion of professional players from leagues outside the country, a move aimed at providing the team with a competitive edge.

Among the notable additions are Babacar Niasse, goalkeeper for Gangwon FC in France, Aboubacar Koyate, the top scorer in the Belgian league, and Mohamed Dlahi, a defender for Al-Border in Iraq.

Despite the team’s success, the local league in Mauritania lacks strong attention from sports enthusiasts in the Arab regions or its African surroundings.

On the club level, Mauritanian teams are distant contenders in the competitions like the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup.

In the upcoming Round of 16, “Al-Murabitun” faces a formidable challenge against Cape Verde, which emerged as the tournament’s dark horse after topping Group B alongside Egypt, Ghana, and Mozambique.

The Mauritanian team aspires to continue their adventure, aiming for an unprecedented leap into the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The football world awaits this clash, anticipating whether “Al-Murabitun” can create history and extend their remarkable journey in the tournament.