Mauritania, Gabon to battle for AFCON ticket

Mauritania will take on Gabon in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group I match at the Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya on Saturday.

Kick-off is 9:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Lions of Chinguetti secured a 3-0 win over Sudan away on 20 June as they snapped their three-match winless run in the group including back-to-back defeats to DR Congo.

Mauritania are placed second in the Group I standings - two points behind leaders DR Congo and the Lions of Chinguetti will qualify for the 2023 Afcon finals if they defeat Gabon.

Meanwhile, Gabon succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to DR Congo at home on 18 June as the West-Central African side recorded their second successive defeat in the group.

The Panthers are placed third in the Group I standings - two points behind leaders DR Congo and they will book their spot in the 2023 Afcon finals if they secure a win over Mauritania.

WHAT WAS SAID

Mauritania head coach Amir Abdou

"No, For me, that's not possible [adopting a defensive approach against Gabon]. To say that we're going to close the door and put the key under the mat.," Abdou told the media.

"No, that's not the way to approach a match. We play to win. We wait-and-see attitude against an opponent of Gabon's quality, with its attacking assets, including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, would not be the right solution."

Gabon goalkeeper Jean-Noël Amonome

“Our preparations in Marrakech are very satisfactory for this crucial match for qualification for Afcon 2023 in Ivory Coast," Amonome said on Gabon All Sport.

“One goal: victory this Saturday in Mauritania. I strongly hope that our wish and that of almost all Gabonese people be granted even if Gabon no longer has all its chances in hand."

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Mauritania and