From our special correspondent in Bouaké – At the end of a festival of goals, Angola beat Mauritania on Saturday in their second match in Group D of the African Cup of Nations (CAN). Currently first with four points, the Black Antelopes have probably done the hardest part to secure a place in the round of 16.
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Saying “that there are no more small teams at the CAN” may well be a footballing commonplace, but we can nevertheless affirm that the duel between Angola and Mauritania, Saturday January 20, at the Stade de la Paix de Bouaké is good proof of this. In a sometimes disjointed but always spectacular match, the Black Antelopes defeated the Mourabitounes 3 to 2.
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In front of completely depopulated stands after Algeria – Burkina Faso, the two teams launch themselves into the challenge of the outsiders of group D. As in their first match, Mauritania is bravely playing its luck, still dreaming of achieving the first victory of its history.
The debates are balanced but Angola strikes first: after a corner coming in on the left, the ball is acrobatically taken into the area by Dala (30th, 1-0)
But the Mourabitounes do not admit defeat. Sidi Amar performs a festival in the area and scores a splendid goal from the left. The stadium capsizes, it is only the second goal in their history (43rd, 1-1).
Three goals in fifteen minutes
The two teams go back to back in stoppage time in the first half. Gassama sends a violent strike from 35 meters and the Angolan goalkeeper is forced to lie down to get it out. Then, at the conclusion of a counter-attack, Gilberto misses the unmissable goal alone in front of Niasse’s goal.
Returning from the locker room, Dala starts from midfield, dribbles past a Mauritanian defender before poking the ball over the goalkeeper. A Fifa-style goal which gives Angola the advantage (49th, 2-1).
Gilberto thinks about putting his team in safety (53rd, 3-1) but the Mourabitounes do not give up and reduce the score with a powerful strike from Aboubakar Koita (58th, 3-2). The strikes and the rides follow one another, each more spectacular than the last, but the score no longer changes. A second cruel defeat for Amir Abdou’s men who also deserved better against Burkina Faso.
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On arrival, Mauritania is still chasing its first victory in history at the CAN and its first point in 2024. Angola can, however, rejoice cautiously: with four points and a higher number of goals scored, it is first in group D just ahead of Burkina Faso which it will face on Tuesday. In the past, this record has often been enough to secure a place among the four best thirds in the competition.