In Côte d'Ivoire, Mauritania will be playing in their 3rd Africa Cup of Nations finals. In both Egypt and Cameroon, the Mourabitounes exited the competition in the first round without winning a single match.In a few weeks' time, however, they could be one of the surprises of the AFCON 2023.
Because the Mourabitounes are tired of always losing...The birds of ill omen will certainly say "never two without three". And so, after two moribund Africa Cup of Nations campaigns, the Mourabitounes were to pack their bags again at the end of the 1st round. As usual, without winning a single match. Except that with Mauritania, this adage doesn't work. The local team demonstrated this in Algeria in January during the CHAN. After two lacklustre final phases in South Africa and Morocco, the Mauritanians shone for the 3rd time by eliminating Angola and Mali, two former finalists, in the group stage.
In Côte d'Ivoire, then, we can expect the Mourabitounes to be determined and tough. However, they are in a very tough group with Algeria, champions in 1990 and 2019, Angola and Burkina Faso, fourth at the previous edition.
Amir Abdou is a magician...
If Mauritania, which used to watch international competitions only on TV, has become a major player in recent years, it's because the Mauritanian Federation is working hard. All its teams are making steady progress. But if the Mourabitounes have managed to get beyond the 1st round at the CHAN 2022 in Algeria, it's also down to the hand of Amir Abdou. The Comorian technician has the vista.
With him, the Comoros qualified for the African Cup of Nations in 2021 for the first time. He eliminated Ghana before being knocked out in the Round of 8 by Cameroon in incredible circumstances. He was also in charge of the Mauritanian national team at the CHAN 2022. An outstanding manager, Abdou was often able to get the best out of his squad, and caused huge problems for the big teams. Without him, the Comoros failed to qualify for a second successive tournament. With him, Mauritania can dare to dream of a historic campaign.
Aboubakar Koita has fire in his legs
No big stars, no big names, but the current top player in the Belgian league is in his ranks. Born in Pikine, Senegal, Aboubakar Koita said yes to the Mourabitounes a few weeks ago. Ignored by his native country even though his legs are on fire, he will have a lot to prove in Côte d'Ivoire. A twirling winger, the 25-year-old knows how to score and score. He has 11 goals in 18 Jupiler Pro League games with Saint-Trond. Mauritania, who have only scored once (and that was from the penalty spot) in 6 AFCON matches, will need him to put an end to this anomaly and make the nets tremble.
