‘Proud’ Cape Verde take aim at fellow surprise package Mauritania
Cape Verde and Mauritania, two of the ‘surprise packages’ at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, will battle it out in a Round of 16 match at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on the evening of Monday 29 January. Kick-off is at 7pm CAT.
Current form
Cape Verde have been the revelation of the AFCON thus far, topping Group B ahead of Egypt, Ghana and Mozambique. The Blue Sharks opened with a stunning 2-1 win over the Black Stars and then became the first team to secure a knockout berth when they crushed Mozambique 3-0. Finally, a 2-2 draw with Egypt in which they fought back to end unbeaten speaks to the spirit and determination of these so-called ‘minnows’.
Mauritania appeared to be heading out of the tournament, having lost their opening two Group D matches against Burkina Faso (0-1) and Angola (2-3). However, they pulled off the biggest shock of the tournament thus far with a 1-0 win over former champions Algeria, with Dellahi Yali’s first-half strike proving enough to not only down the Fennec Foxes, but also send the Lions of Chinguetti into the AFCON knockout rounds for the first time.
Team news
Neither team has any notable injury concerns nor suspensions, allowing the coaches to pick similar line-ups to their final group games.
What was said
“I am so proud of my players,” said Cape Verde coach Bubista. “They applied the instructions perfectly, what makes me even more proud is their behaviour on the pitch. When one loses the ball, another recovers it. I liked seeing this solidarity.”
“It’s extraordinary what we are experiencing," said Mauritania coach Amir Abdou. "I told the players that they wrote the history of Mauritania.”
Players to watch
Cape Verde: The Blue Sharks offer a threat from all over the field,
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