AFCON 2023: Lamine Ba talks tough prior to Cape Verde encounter

Mauritania’s Lamine Bâ will face Cape Verde on Monday, January 29, for the round of 16 of the 2023 AFCON.

The 26-year-old Mauritanian defender believes he and his team can win against the Blue Sharks.

At a pre-match press conference this Sunday, Lamine Bâ uttered utmost respect for the Cape Verde team, a side that finished as leaders of group B with 7 points ahead of Egypt and Ghana.

“We will approach this match as usual. We are outsiders, but we have a plan to give the best possible performance.

“There is respect but no fear, it’s a completely different competition and we will fight,” Lamine declared.

However, Mauritania, having knocked Algeria out of the tournament thanks to their 1-0 victory – are no pushovers.

Mauritania is one of the big surprises in this African Cup of Nations which is becoming more and more euphoric.

Amir Abdou’s men are just as much to fear as the Blue Sharks led by Bubista.

Both coaches, being tacticians, will engage in a battle to achieve victory.

A victory for either side will be synonymous with qualifications to the quarter-finals of the AFCON 2023.