Mauritania will look to end their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a high when they take on Mali in their final Group F game at the Japoma Stadium in Douala on Thursday, January 20, kick-off at 19h00 GMT.
Mauritania have suffered back-to-back defeats at Cameroon 2021, going down 1-0 in heartbreaking fashion to Gambia, before being blown away by Tunisia to the tune of a 4-0 score line last weekend.
The results have left the Mourabitounes in fourth place on the pool and without a mathematical chance of advancing into the last 16, regardless of the result they achieve in this clash.
Coach Didier Gomes will be bitterly disappointed at their early elimination, but at least this match gives them the chance to end their campaign in a positive fashion.
“We made a very bad start, too much technical waste. It’s shameful, very disappointed with the content, the way. We wanted to make the country proud, that’s the disappointment. We created some opportunities. We revolted but timidly,” he said after Tunisia loss.
Meanwhile, Mali were held to 1-1 draw by Gambia in their previous Group F game in Limbe on Sunday. Ibrahima Kone scored the lone goal from the spot in a match that was dominated by their opponents.
As a result, the West Africans find themselves on second spot on the Group F standings with four points from two games.
The Eagles are under pressure to win the match and qualify to the Round of 16 with ease without being to check on their mathematical chance basing on other groups result in order to sneak as the best third finisher.
In head-to-head stats according to the FIFA.com, Mauritania and Mali have clashed 31 times.
Mali have secured 19 wins compared to Mauritania’s four wins, while eight games have ended in a draw.
