CAN 2024. Ryan Mendes’ Cape Verde puts an end to Mauritania’s dream and goes to the quarterfinals
Cape Verde defeated Mauritania this Monday, January 29, in the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations. The Blue Sharks took advantage of an error by the Mauritanian defense at the end of the match to obtain a penalty, converted by their captain, Ryan Mendes. They will face the winner of the Morocco – South Africa match in the quarter-finals.
The story was beautiful but the dream ended. Surprise team of the competition, Mauritania lost on Monday January 29 against Cape Verde (0-1) in the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations. A logical outcome but which has long been uncertain. The Blue Sharks took advantage of an error by the Mauritanian defense, at the very end of the match, to obtain a penalty, converted by their captain, Ryan Mendes (88′).
Mauritania struggled… before breaking down
An unexpected poster for the round of 16, this duel between Cape Verde and Mauritania was not very exciting. But he remained undecided until the end. Undefeated in the group stage, the Cape Verdeans experienced difficulties against a valiant Mauritanian team.
If the first period was very balanced, the second allowed Cape Verde (70%) to increase its overall pressure. The Sharks multiplied the clear chances, until finding the fault from the penalty spot, helped by the misunderstanding between the Mauritanian defender El Welly, who had just come on and the Guingamp goalkeeper Ndiaye Mbaye.
The Mauritanians had a golden opportunity to open the score a little earlier, but Souleymane Anne missed his shot (58′). Cape Verde will face Morocco or South Africa in the CAN quarter-finals.
The starting compositions
Cape Verde : Vozinha – Moreira, Costa, Lopes, Joao Paulo – Monteiro, Lenini, Duarte – Jovane Cabral, Bebe, Mendes.
Mauritania : Niasse – Anne, Houbeib, Ba, Diaw – Gassama, Amar, Keita, Mouhsine, Koita – Tanjy.
The story was beautiful but the dream ended. Surprise team of the competition, Mauritania lost on Monday January 29 against Cape Verde (0-1) in the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations. A logical outcome but which has long been uncertain. The Blue Sharks took advantage of an error by the Mauritanian defense, at the very end of the match, to obtain a penalty, converted by their captain, Ryan Mendes (88′).
Mauritania struggled… before breaking down
An unexpected poster for the round of 16, this duel between Cape Verde and Mauritania was not very exciting. But he remained undecided until the end. Undefeated in the group stage, the Cape Verdeans experienced difficulties against a valiant Mauritanian team, winner of the first match in its history at the CAN , against Algeria (1-0). A resounding feat that they have not been able to repeat.
If the first period was very balanced, the second allowed Cape Verde (70%) to increase its overall pressure. The Sharks multiplied the clear chances, until finding the fault from the penalty spot, helped by the misunderstanding between the Mauritanian defender El Welly, who had just come on and the Guingamp goalkeeper Ndiaye Mbaye.
READ ALSO. CAN. Algeria outside, exploits of Mauritania and Namibia… An edition full of surprises
The Mauritanians had a golden opportunity to open the score a little earlier, but Souleymane Anne missed his shot (58′). Cape Verde will face Morocco or South Africa in the CAN quarter-finals.
The starting compositions
Cape Verde : Vozinha – Moreira, Costa, Lopes, Joao Paulo – Monteiro, Lenini, Duarte – Jovane Cabral, Bebe, Mendes.
Mauritania : Niasse – Anne, Houbeib, Ba, Diaw – Gassama, Amar, Keita, Mouhsine, Koita – Tanjy.
Relive the highlights
9′. Mendes very close to a superb goal!
Ryan Mendes has been very dangerous since the start of the match. It is launched deep on the right side. Niasse, the Mauritanian goalkeeper, comes forward and is lobbed by Mendes. The ball goes just wide. Finally, an offside position is signaled.
Half time. Mauritania stands up to Cape Verde (0-0)
It’s the break. Cape Verde and Mauritania are back to back. The Cape Verdeans had possession of the ball and better situations. But the Mauritanians are in place and can easily envisage a new feat after the success against Algeria in the group stage.
59′. Huge opportunity for Mauritania!
High time for Mauritania. Koita performs a number and gives Souleymane Anne who unscrews his left shot while Vozinha had already gone to bed. Mauritania has missed a huge opportunity.
The story was beautiful but the dream ended. Surprise team of the competition, Mauritania lost on Monday January 29 against Cape Verde (0-1) in the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations. A logical outcome but which has long been uncertain. The Blue Sharks took advantage of an error by the Mauritanian defense, at the very end of the match, to obtain a penalty, converted by their captain, Ryan Mendes (88′).
Mauritania struggled… before breaking down
An unexpected poster for the round of 16, this duel between Cape Verde and Mauritania was not very exciting. But he remained undecided until the end. Undefeated in the group stage, the Cape Verdeans experienced difficulties against a valiant Mauritanian team, winner of the first match in its history at the CAN , against Algeria (1-0). A resounding feat that they have not been able to repeat.
If the first period was very balanced, the second allowed Cape Verde (70%) to increase its overall pressure. The Sharks multiplied the clear chances, until finding the fault from the penalty spot, helped by the misunderstanding between the Mauritanian defender El Welly, who had just come on and the Guingamp goalkeeper Ndiaye Mbaye.
READ ALSO. CAN. Algeria outside, exploits of Mauritania and Namibia… An edition full of surprises
The Mauritanians had a golden opportunity to open the score a little earlier, but Souleymane Anne missed his shot (58′). Cape Verde will face Morocco or South Africa in the CAN quarter-finals.
The starting compositions
Cape Verde : Vozinha – Moreira, Costa, Lopes, Joao Paulo – Monteiro, Lenini, Duarte – Jovane Cabral, Bebe, Mendes.
Mauritania : Niasse – Anne, Houbeib, Ba, Diaw – Gassama, Amar, Keita, Mouhsine, Koita – Tanjy.
Relive the highlights
9′. Mendes very close to a superb goal!
Ryan Mendes has been very dangerous since the start of the match. It is launched deep on the right side. Niasse, the Mauritanian goalkeeper, comes forward and is lobbed by Mendes. The ball goes just wide. Finally, an offside position is signaled.
Half time. Mauritania stands up to Cape Verde (0-0)
It’s the break. Cape Verde and Mauritania are back to back. The Cape Verdeans had possession of the ball and better situations. But the Mauritanians are in place and can easily envisage a new feat after the success against Algeria in the group stage.
59′. Huge opportunity for Mauritania!
High time for Mauritania. Koita performs a number and gives Souleymane Anne who unscrews his left shot while Vozinha had already gone to bed. Mauritania has missed a huge opportunity.
78′. Cape Verde close to finding the fault!
Rodrigues enters with his right foot and unleashes a powerful strike which Niasse repels with a beautiful cuff. Behind, Cabral resumes but wide. Mauritania is suffering more and more.
87′. Penalty for Cape Verde!
Babacar Niasse was beaten on a delivery by his defender El Welly, who had just come on and committed the foul on Rodrigues in the area. Cape Verde has the opportunity to open the scoring. Niasse is punished with a yellow card for this fatal error.
88′. ⚽ Mendes delivers Cape Verde! (1-0)
The Cape Verdean captain takes his responsibilities and strikes hard. He takes Niasse on the wrong foot and perhaps sends Cape Verde to the quarter-finals.