The tallest man at the 2023 AFCON, Babacar Niasse of Mauritania will play no further part in this tournament following his side’s 1-0 loss to an impressive Cape Verde on Monday night.
Cape Verde’s successful adventure at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) continued as they advanced to the quarterfinals after beating Mauritania 1-0 in the round of 16 yesterday.
The 27 years Mauritania goalkeeper who plays for French Ligue 2 side Guincamp was at his best for his side yesterday, palming away Mendes’ glancing header from a corner kick to deny the Blue Sharks an opener, but was unlucky to have conceded in the 86 minutes when an error in the Mauritanian defense allowed Cape Verde attacker Gilson to nick ahead of Niasse and earn his team a penalty – Mendes took the spot kick and fired home to put the Blue Sharks 1-0 up and on course for the quarterfinals.
The penalty was conceded by Mauritania goalkeeper Babacar Niasse, who was forced to come out as he scrambled to get to a poor back header from Yassin Cheikh El Welly and, in the process, brought down substitute striker Gilson Benchimol.
Mauritania’s first effort in anger came from Bodda Mouhsine, who whipped a shot just wide direct from a free kick in the 15th minute.
The teams traded chances in the opening phase of the second half, and just before the hour mark Mauritania created the clearest chance.
Mauritania was hoping to extend their fine run in Ivory Coast, after they won a Cup of Nations match for the first time in nine attempts in their last group game, beating Algeria to eliminate one of the continent’s powerhouses.
The 1.95-meter tall shot-stopper was the key to Mauritania securing a first-ever AFCON knockout stage spot in Cote d’Ivoire.
