Mauritania bid farewell to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a commendable performance and a historic achievement, leaving Morocco as the sole Arab representative in the tournament.
Tunisia and Algeria faltered in the group stage, while Egypt’s lackluster qualification ended in a penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Now, it’s Morocco, the Atlas Lions, facing South Africa in the quarter-finals.
Cape Verde continues its adventurous AFCON journey, topping an unexpected group that included Egypt and Ghana.
They advance to the quarter-finals for the second time in their history, following their debut in 2013.
This marks their first time progressing past the knockout stage, as the tournament format did not include a Round of 16 in the 2013 edition with only 16 teams.
The decisive goal came in the 88th minute, a penalty converted by Ryan Mendes, shattering the hopes of Mauritania, who surprised Algeria in the group stage.
Despite the loss, it’s Mauritania’s first-ever elimination in the knockout stage in three AFCON appearances.
Cape Verde now awaits the winner between Ivory Coast and Senegal in the quarter-finals.
Attempts to Break the Silence:
Cape Verde initiated the game in the 4th minute with a shot from Steven Moreira that collided with the defense.
In the 10th minute, the Portuguese-speaking team made another attempt with a shot from Ryan Mendes that narrowly missed the post.
Efforts continued in the 26th minute, with Pepe’s corner kick, but the defense cleared his shot.
Jissoma Fofana of Mauritania entered the game in the 35th minute due to an injury to Oumari Jassama.
In the 40th minute, Mauritania responded with a header from Hamza Tandia, but goalkeeper Vozinha made the save.
Heartbreaking Farewell:
Cape Verde persisted with attempts, including a shot from Giovanni in the 57th minute, but Mauritanian goalkeeper Babacar Niasse continued his successful saves.
Mauritania replied with a shot from Sidi Bona Ammar in the 49th minute, deflected by the defense.
The Mourabitounes then attempted a free-kick by Aboubacary Coulibaly, but it missed the post in the 57th minute, followed by Suleiman Ann’s shot over the crossbar in the 59th minute.
Babou Ibnou Ba and Aboubacar Kamara entered the game in the 66th minute, replacing Hamza Tandia and Sidi Bona Ammar.
In the 72nd minute, Kenny Santos and Gary Rodriguez came on for Cape Verde, replacing Deroy Duarte and Pepe.
In the 80th minute, Haj Ba and Sheikh Al Waeli substituted for the injured Ibrahim Kita and Suleiman Ann for Mauritania.
Lenine almost scored immediately after the substitutions with a header, but the Mauritanian goalkeeper saved it once again.
In the 86th minute, a defensive error led to a penalty as Benjamin Benshimol was fouled by the Mauritanian goalkeeper Niasse.
Mendes converted the penalty in the 88th minute.
In the 95th minute, Cape Verde completed their substitutions with Willie Semedo replacing Steven Moreira.
With this, Mauritania becomes the fourth Arab team to exit the Africa Cup of Nations, while Cape Verde advances to the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner between defending champions Senegal and the host nation Ivory Coast.
