Cape Verde will host Mauritiana in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday. Despite the presence of past champions Egypt and Ghana, the Blue Sharks unexpectedly won Group B. The Lions of Chinguetti shocked 2019 champions Algeria to make it to this level for the first time.
Preview (Cape Verde vs. Mauritania)
The Blue Sharks’ propensity to choose outcomes in unique ways has been one of the most intriguing things to notice about Cape Verde at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. In their last group match, Bubista’s team defeated Egypt 2-1 after trailing the entire time. They also outperformed Mozambique with better finishing and showed remarkable reaction time to steal a point from them. Late goals against the Black Stars and Pharaohs indicate that the Blue Sharks will compete to the very end.
Bubista’s team has never advanced past the quarterfinals. It might duplicate their 2013 showing if they defeat the Mauritanian team on Monday in the competition’s knockout stages. The Blue Sharks scored three goals at the 2013 South African finals. It was a total they surpassed by four at AFCON 2023. The fact that diverse players scored the goals shows that Bubista’s team does not depend on a single player to produce the goods, which increases their unpredictable nature.
After unexpectedly defeating Ghana to send little Comoros to the last 16 of the last finals, Amir Abdou is establishing himself as the go-to man on the continent for underdogs punching above their weight. Their ability to coach a compact side provides the tacticians a fighting chance against any opposition. They aim to keep overcoming obstacles to secure a quarterfinal slot. In addition to scoring more than once in a game at AFCON 2023 (a 3-2 loss to Angola), the Lions of Chinguetti joined DR Congo (2019) and Comoros (2021), the latter of which is coached by Abdou, as the third team to advance to the knockout stages despite losing their first two games of the campaign.
Team News
Cape Verde had goals in stoppage time in the second half through Garry Rodrigues (against Ghana) and Bryan Teixeira (against Egypt). Bubista’s in-game adjustments could tip the balance in the Blue Sharks’ favor. Since leaving the game against Mozambique with an injury, Bebe has not played for the Group B victors. He is questionable for Monday’s match. Bebe used to play for Manchester United. Abdou’s team can look on Aboubakary Koita, who completed the most take-on during the group stage thanks to his dribbling. Koita’s ball striking caused a fracas against Angola.
The most tackles were made by the Lions of Chinguetti duo of Abraham Keita (12) and Omare Gassama (11), highlighting Mauritania’s restrained intensity when not in possession. Mohamed Dellahi Yali, who won the match against Algeria, is questionable for Monday due to an injury he sustained during the Fennecs victory.
Cape Verde 2-0 Mauritania
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