CHAN 2024: Mauritania deepen Central African Republic's woes with crucial victory
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 09.08.25. | 19:34
Central Africa, on the other hand, had suffered a heavy 4-2 defeat to Burkina Faso in their opening match played on Wednesday, 6 August
The Central African Republic's woes at the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) deepened after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Mauritania.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
The two sides met in a Group B match played on Saturday, 9 August at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a match that was officiated by Kenyan referee Dickens Mimisa.
Mauritania, who were playing their third match, came on the back of a 1-0 defeat to co-hosts Tanzania, preceded by a goalless draw against Madagascar in their first match.
Central Africa, on the other hand, had suffered a heavy 4-2 defeat to Burkina Faso in their opening match played on Wednesday, 6 August.
The match kicked off with both teams open on the offensive in search of a win that would boost their knockout qualification chances.
It was Mauritania who got the rewards of early attacks when a long ball from the defense caught the Central African backline napping.
Abdallahi Mahmoud made a good run on the right flank and delivered a pinpoint cross that youngster Ahmed El Moctor slotted home to break the deadlock.
With the goal advantage, Mauritania retreated to protect the lead and only made occasional attacks, while Central Africa pushed for an equaliser but with no clear-cut chances created.
The Wild Beasts were caught on the counterattack in the 42nd minute with Mauritania threatening to double the lead, but Ghislaid Mounguide made a cynical foul to stop the attack, earning the first booking of the match.
The resultant set piece was feeble, and thereafter, no meaningful attack from either side was witnessed until the halftime whistle blew.
In the second half, Mauritania chose to sit back to protect their lead and resorted to counterattacks with the hope of catching the Central African Republic defense napping.
Central Africa, who were on an all-out attack mode, got a chance in the 56th minute, but striker Dimitri Kogbeto’s shot went over the bar.
The Ngato-coached side were back at it again in the 63rd minute, but Michael Yangao’s cross from a promising position was misplaced and cleared to safety by Mauritania.
Abderrahmane Sarr, who was busy in the Mauritania goal, was called upon to parry a dangerous Central African cross for a fruitless corner in the 77th minute.
Central Africa had an opportunity to equalise in the 80th minute through a counter-attack from a rare Mauritania attack, but Kogbeto chose to be selfish and his weak shot was comfortably saved by Sarr.
In the end, Mauritania were able to push over the line and record their first win of the tournament, which took their point tally to four ahead of their last game against Burkina Faso on Wednesday, 13 August.
Central Africa, on the other hand, will face Madagascar on the same day as they hunt for their first point of the tournament.
.jpg)
