Cape Verde goals to equal their finest efficiency within the Africa Cup of Nations as they face Mauritania in a spherical of 16 match on the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Monday.
Match preview
One fascinating side of Cape Verde’s efficiency within the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is their skill to realize ends in alternative ways.
Bubista’s group scored a late winner in opposition to Ghana, gained in opposition to Mozambique as a consequence of higher ending, and confirmed resilience to earn a draw in opposition to Egypt of their last group match.
Their skill to attain late targets signifies that Cape Verde by no means provides up till the ultimate whistle, which is advantageous in knockout matches.
Having by no means superior previous the quarter-final stage, Bubista’s facet might match their 2013 efficiency by defeating Mauritania and securing their first victory within the knockout rounds of the competitors on Monday.
Within the 2013 finals in South Africa, Cape Verde scored three targets, however they’ve already surpassed that tally with 4 targets in AFCON 2023. The truth that the targets have come from completely different gamers provides to their unpredictability.
For Mauritania, this recreation is a historic event because the Lions of Chinguetti have by no means performed a knockout match within the match earlier than. They secured their spot within the spherical of 16 with a stunning 1-0 victory over Algeria of their final group match.
Amir Abdou has confirmed himself as a talented coach, taking underdog groups like Comoros to the final 16 within the earlier finals. His skill to prepare a compact facet provides Mauritania an opportunity in opposition to any opponent as they goal for a spot within the quarter-finals.
Regardless of shedding 3-2 to Angola, the Lions of Chinguetti grew to become the third group to achieve the knockout rounds after shedding their first two matches within the competitors, becoming a member of DR Congo (2019) and Comoros (2021), the latter being managed by Abdou.
It stays to be seen whether or not Mauritania will undertake a compact strategy like of their match opener in opposition to Burkina Faso or a extra attacking model like within the loss to Angola. Nevertheless, they can’t be underestimated in match soccer.
Cape Verde Africa Cup of Nations type: W W D
Cape Verde type (all competitions): D W L W W D
Mauritania Africa Cup of Nations type:L L W
Mauritania type (all competitions): L D D L L W
Staff Information
Garry Rodrigues and Bryan Teixeira have scored essential late targets for Cape Verde of their earlier matches. Bubista’s tactical adjustments throughout the recreation might affect the result in favor of the Blue Sharks.
Bebe, who obtained injured within the victory over Mozambique, is unsure for Monday’s match and will not characteristic for the Group B winners.
Abdou’s group can depend on Aboubakary Koita, who confirmed glorious ball-striking skill in opposition to Angola, and his dribbling expertise have been evident as he accomplished probably the most profitable take-ons within the group stage.
Ibrahima Keita and Omare Gassama have been probably the most lively in making tackles for the Lions of Chinguetti, highlighting their managed aggression with out the ball.
Mohamed Dellahi Yali, who scored the profitable objective in opposition to Algeria, can be unsure for Monday’s match as a consequence of an damage suffered within the 1-0 victory.
Potential beginning lineups
Cape Verde: (4-3-3)
Vozinha;
Moreira, Costa, Lopes, Paulo;
Duarte, Pina, Monteiro;
Mendes, Tavares, Cabral
Mauritania: (4-1-4-1)
Niasse;
Keita, El Abd, Ba, Abeid;
Gassama;
Bouna, Thiam, Mouhsine, Koita;
Anne
Prediction: Cape Verde 2-0 Mauritania
Regardless of Abdou’s teaching expertise, Mauritania is unlikely to cease Cape Verde’s sturdy attacking lineup. The Blue Sharks have the benefit and are anticipated to safe their first-ever knockout victory.