Mauritania recorded their first-ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations as they defeated 2019 champions Algeria 1-0 in their final Group D match, bringing an end the Desert Foxes’ campaign in the Ivory Coast.
The Lions of Chinguetti had put in spirited performances against Burkina Faso and Angola but they ended in narrow 1-0 and 3-2 defeats and continued their search for a first win in their third consecutive AFCON outing.
It all came together for the West Africans thanks to Yali Dellahi’s 37th minute strike from close range. Amir Abdou’s side held firm and took all three points. They finished in third place but are currently among the best ranked sides in that position for a place in the Round of 16 while the Algerians finished rock bottom with just two points.
Matchday 11 at #AFCON2023 comes to an end with Mauritania ???????? shock win against #AFCON2019 winners Algeria ????????.
Gambia ???????? sit bottom of Group C, Algeria ???????? sit bottom of Group D#Afrosport #Senegal #Cameroon #Gambia #Algeria #Angola #Mauritania #TotalEnergiesAFCON pic.twitter.com/2nCRFyF4AZ
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) January 23, 2024
Angola finished top of the group after seeing off Burkina Faso 2-0, Mabululu and Zini getting their names on the scoresheet.
