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Mauritania will aim to bounce back from their defeat in the opening game when they face Angola in their Africa Cup of Nations match at Stade de la Paix on Saturday.
The Lions of Chinguetti lost 1-0 to Burkina Faso after conceding a late penalty. Meanwhile, Palancas Negras held the 2019 champions Algeria to a 1-1 draw.
Match preview:
Mauritania played well against Burkina Faso, but they lost due to a late penalty converted by Bertrand Traore.
Despite this, Amir Abdou’s team was praised for their defensive efforts and controlled aggression. They will look to carry more attacking threat against Angola, but they can rely on their effort without the ball to give them a chance.
Saturday’s game represents another opportunity for the Lions of Chinguetti to claim their first win at the Cup of Nations in their eighth game.
As for the Palancas Negras, they hope to build on their performance against Algeria. Pedro Goncalves’s men started slowly against the North Africans and could have trailed 2-0 in the opening half.
However, they responded strongly after the interlude and had several promising counter-attacks. Their equalizer came from the spot through Mabululu, who dispatched his penalty after Nabil Bentaleb’s foul was penalized midway through the second half.
Mauritania has lost one game in the Africa Cup of Nations and their last six games across all competitions have been mixed (WLDLDL).
On the other hand, Angola has drawn their only game in the tournament and their last six games across all competitions have also been mixed (DDDDWD).
Team News:
Mauritania may be without striker Aboubakar Kamara and center-back Lamine Ba, who went off injured in their Group D opener against Burkina Faso.
Abdou is expected to keep the compact 4-4-2 shape that denied Burkina Faso space and time in the middle third and their defensive area.
Mabululu could start against Mauritania after his impact off the bench helped Angola secure a point against Algeria. That could be the only change for Angola, who may switch from a 3-5-2 to a 3-4-3 formation.
Possible Lineups:
Mauritania: (4-4-2)
Niasse;
Keita, El Abd, Yali, Abeid;
Thiam, Gassama, Fofana, Tanjy;
Koita, Anne.
Angola: (3-4-3)
Neblu;
Mananga, Gaspar, Quinito;
Augusto, Fredy, Show, Fortuna;
Luvumbo, Mabululu, Dala.
Prediction: Mauritania 1-0 Angola
Although Mauritania lost their opening game, their defensive compactness puts them in good stead against the Angolans. They could secure their first win at the Africa Cup of Nations against Palancas Negras.
