Cape Verde secured a thrilling 1-0 victory over Mauritania in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, earning a spot in the quarter-finals.
The intense last-16 clash at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan saw both teams deadlocked until the 87th minute when Ryan Mendes, Cape Verde’s captain, converted a penalty after Gilson Tavares was brought down by Mauritania’s keeper Babacar Niasse.
Despite Cape Verde’s dominance in possession and chances, Mauritania’s defense held firm. The dramatic late goal marked Cape Verde’s first-ever knockout win in the AFCON, propelling them to the quarter-finals for the second time. The Blue Sharks will face either Morocco or South Africa in the next round.
Key match facts highlight Cape Verde’s improved performance, having won three of their last four AFCON encounters. On the other hand, Mauritania’s struggle to score was evident, with them not finding the net in 70% of their AFCON games. The statistics also showcase Cape Verde’s increased attempts on goal and Ryan Mendes’ historic penalty goal in the knockout game. Sidi Amar from Mauritania stood out with eight tackles, equaling the highest tally in the 2023 AFCON, emphasizing his defensive prowess.
