- Cape Verde finished top of their group
- They hope to make the quarter finals for the second time
- Mauritania are in the group phase for the first time ever
Topping a group that had three-time champions Ghana and record seven time champions Egypt, Cape Verde have quite the bag of confidence as they head into the round of 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Blue Sharks will take on Mauritania at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, and their target remains the same, go as far in the competition as possible.
The island nation’s best ever performance at the tournament was a quarter final berth in 2013 in South Africa and at the last AFCON in Cameroon, fell at this very same round of 16 stage. But this time, they are prepared to do better, especially after impressive runs in the group stages.
Despite their pedigree in Ivory Coast, head coach Pedro ‘Bubista’ Brito has warned his players that they should not expect an easy duel.
Cape Verde admit tough Mauritania side
Cape Verde players celebrate one of their three goals against Mozambique. PHOTO/CAF
“Mauritania is a difficult opponent. This team showed cohesion and quality. Their victory against Algeria in the group stages was well deserved and they showed their qualities, especially that they have a solid defense. This is going to be a very tactical encounter and we will have to play our cards well and not falter,” said the tactician ahead of the game.
Forward Tiago Correia says the team knows the task at hand and will be going in to put in their best and ensure they match their 2013 performance, and look forward to do better.
Meanwhile, Mauritania head coach Amir Abdou has said his side will look to exploit loopholes in Cape Verde’s defense as the two sides clash in the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mauritania squeezed in to the round of 16 as one of the four best placed number threes from thegroup stages, their 1-0 win over 2019 champions Algeria sailing them through. They come up against a Cape Verde side that topped their group and Abdou knows it will not be an easy outing.
“Cape Verde is an attractive team. They score a lot of goals and concede too, which is a loophole we will try to use. I have a competitive group and I know we are capable of anything,” the tactician said.
Cape Verde weak defensively
Mauritania celebrate their win. PHOTO/CAF
Cape Verde conceded three goals in as many group matches but also faced numerous shots on target and this is the area Abdou wants to fully exploit.
Defender Lamine Ba meanwhile says the team has picked lessons from their group stage performances, and wants to improve and show their worth in the knockout phase.
“It’s true that we got off to a bad start, but now a new competition is starting. We know that the Mauritanian authorities have put several things in place so that our supporters are present during this match, and we are counting heavily on them,” he said.
This is the first time ever that Mauritania are playing in the knockout phase of the AFCON and they hope to make history once again.
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