Binewa Team Profile: Mauritania at AFCON 2023

By Ngome Michael

Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean with over 10 Thousand square kilometers of land surface, Mauritania is the largest country on the western region of Africa trying to set roots in the continent’s king sport, Football.

Picking a place at a third African Cup of Nations final in a row since débuting in 2019 is just the perfect way to showcase what it has in store at the 34th AFCON edition in Côte D’Ivoire.

The Lions of Chinguetti, after failed spells with Martin Corentin and Didier Gomez Da Rosa have turned to a Amir Abdou who achieved some huge fit with an average Comoros in Cameroon as head coach.

Leapfroging a star studded Gabonese team to finish second in Group I as a dark horse sets coach Amir Abdou on course to rewrite an AFCON record of six matches, zero wins, and two draws with a single scored in two AFCON appearances.

Road to AFCON

Mauritania launched a resounding qualifying round with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sudan on June 04 2022, successfully held Gabon to a goalless draw days later in Libreville.

Back to back defeats on Day-3 and 4 against eventual group winners DR Congo lowered spirits but the team stayed on course due to Gabon having an underwhelming campaign.

Colecting four points from the Panthers and a double over Sudan on Day-5 and 6 sealed qualification for team Mauritania with 10points from 6matches, finishing second behind DR Congo.

Players To Watch

Aboubarkar Kamara will be the man to Mauritania on the pitch in Côte D’Ivoire. The 28-year-old former Fulham striker possess key points in positional play with a prolific goalscoring ability. He has scored seven goals in 18caps for Mauritania.

Joining Kamara in attack is Koïta Aboubarkary, 25 with a lethal personality infront of goal. He averaged 11goals in 20matches for St Trond in Belgium.

While Kamara and Koïta manage affairs upfront, Abdallahi Mahmoud will the midfield force. He is an embodiment of vision for good passes and ball conserving techniques.

Coach: Amir Abdou

Handing Comoros an icon first AFCON in which they brought down heavyweight Ghana and reached the Knockout stage, the 51-year-old Marseille born gaffer has madtered the nitty-gritty of African Football. He is equally a motivator and believes in team spirit.

AFCON Fixtures

16 January
Burkina Faso – Mauritania: 14:00 GMT, Al Salam Bouaké Stadium.
 
20 January
Mauritania – Angola: 17:00 GMT, Salam Bouaké Stadium.
 
23 January 
Mauritania – Algeria: 20:00 GMT, Salam Bouaké Stadium.