Mauritania Cries Foul After Controversial Elimination by Equatorial Guinea in AFCON Qualifiers
Mauritania’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations campaign ended in frustration and outrage after a controversial 3-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, sealing their elimination with a 3-1 aggregate score. But beyond the result, the Mourabitounes are pointing fingers at the hosts, accusing them of orchestrating a series of irregularities that marred the encounter.
Tensions began even before the ball was kicked. Mauritania’s arrival in Malabo was delayed after difficulties in securing entry visas—only resolved following intervention from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Once in the country, logistical issues further fueled the team’s concerns. The Mauritanian squad reported subpar accommodations and transportation, alleging that they were forced to share a team bus with Equatorial Guinea’s women’s side. Players and staff were left waiting for extended periods after training before they could even check in to their hotel.
On matchday, things deteriorated further. Though the game was initially scheduled to be broadcast internationally, it was ultimately aired only on local terrestrial channels. Mauritania officials have branded this media blackout as part of a broader attempt to obscure questionable conduct on and off the pitch.
During the match itself, the Mauritanian delegation protested the performance of the Kenyan refereeing crew, accusing them of turning a blind eye to repeated infractions by the home team. The situation escalated when Nicolas Santucci, Mauritania’s goalkeeping coach, was ejected for protesting and was reportedly manhandled by local police during his removal from the pitch area.
In a dramatic postscript to the encounter, Mauritania’s football federation (FFRIM) claimed that its president, Ahmed Ould Yahya, was physically assaulted at the conclusion of the game. The incident capped off what the federation described as a “scandalous” and deeply troubling experience in Malabo.
Despite their disappointment, the Mauritanian players and staff have been praised domestically for their resilience in difficult conditions. The FFRIM is expected to lodge a formal complaint with CAF, seeking a review of the circumstances surrounding their elimination.
Equatorial Guinea, meanwhile, progresses to the next round, though under a cloud of controversy that threatens to overshadow their on-field success.
