Mauritania defeat Algeria to qualify for the round of 16 for AFCON 2023

Mauritania defeats Algeria to qualifyfor the round of 16 for AFCON 2023



Mauritania, considered underdogs, achieved a momentous upset against two-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions Algeria with a 1-0 triumph, securing their passage to the tournament’s knockout stages.

Centre-back Yali Dellahi scored the decisive goal late in the first half, leaving Algeria surprised and eliminated from the competition.

This victory for Mauritania marks their first-ever win at the AFCON finals. In the upcoming last-16 clash at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Monday, they will face the unexpected Group B winners, Cape Verde.

Algeria, alongside fellow former champions Ghana, have been eliminated from the tournament, as Tuesday’s results confirmed that the Black Stars cannot qualify among the top four third-placed teams.

READ MORE : Gambia head coach, Tom Saintfiet resigns after AFCON 2023 exit

Facing intense pressure from Algeria in the closing stages, the Lions of Chinguetti held their ground, enduring over 11 minutes of stoppage time as the Desert Foxes sought a leveling goal that would have propelled them past Mauritania.

However, the underdogs defended tenaciously, securing a historic victory that advances them to the knockout stages alongside second-placed Burkina Faso and group leaders Angola, who secured the top spot by defeating Burkina Faso 2-0.

Mauritania’s remarkable win over Algeria sets the stage for an exhilarating and unpredictable knockout phase at AFCON 2023.