In one of the most surprising upsets of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023, Mauritania stunned Algeria with a 1-0 victory at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.
Despite being the underdogs, Mauritania's Yali Dellahi scored a crucial goal, and goalkeeper Babacar Niasse made heroic saves to secure the historic win.
The odds heavily favoured Algeria to secure their first win in the tournament, but Mauritania defied expectations, sending their North African opponents packing. Yali Dellahi controlled a rebound and produced an excellent strike that deflected into the net, giving Mauritania the lead in the 37th minute.
Following the goal, Mauritania's coach, Amir Abdou, managed the game effectively, and goalkeeper Babacar Niasse made crucial saves to defend their lead. The victory marks Mauritania's first-ever win in the history of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
With three points from the win, Mauritania has secured a place in the knockout stage of the tournament, creating a historic moment for Mauritanian football.
Algeria's coach, Djamel Belmadi, expressed frustration at his team's inability to score despite having a good plan and tactics. Belmadi acknowledged the unpredictable nature of football and the challenges of facing any team in the AFCON. He noted the team's elimination for the second time, emphasizing the difficulty of finishing chances and making a difference on the field.
Amir Abdou, the coach of Mauritania, described the victory as extraordinary and expressed pride in the determination shown by the players for the historic qualification.
He highlighted the difficulty of achieving such a win in a foreign country and praised the players for their commitment. Abdou urged the players to write their names in the history books of Mauritanian football, and with this victory, they accomplished that feat.
The win against Algeria is a historic milestone for Mauritania, marking their first-ever victory in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations and securing qualification for the knockout stage.