The Black Sable Antelopes of Angola registered their first victory of the ongoing CAF Africa Cup of Nations in style beating Mauritania 3-2 in an epic clash at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake to keep high their chances of progressing to the next round of the tournament since 2010.Checking into the game, the Lions of Chinguetti were looking for their maiden victory in Africa’s premier competition in their eighth attempt after suffering defeat in the opening fixture.Former Sporting Lisbon striker Gelson Dala now turning out for AL-Wakrah in the Qatar Super League opened the scoring for Angola in the 30th minute but his strike was canceled out by a Sidi Amar Bouna strike thirteen minutes later, but a Dala sole goal five minutes after the restart restored Pedro Gonçalves’ charges lead before 22 years old Gilberto scored to stretch the Sable Antelopes lead to the delight of their many supporters in the crowd.##NAJAVA_MECA_7812071##Sint Truidense VV forward Aboubakary Koita breathed life into Mauritania supporters with an outrageous thunderbolt goal in the 58th minute to bring the scores at 3-2 but the 2010 quarter finalist held on to see off the rest of the match to set up a thrilling group finale against Burkina Faso.Match ReportIn the highly entertaining and drama-filled tie that was dominated by chances for both sides, Angola started the half on high pushing an opener from the start but a clear chance to score came in the 13th minute when Mabululu had a good chance to change the score.He ran towards the goal and unleashed a shot from just outside the penalty area which went towards the bottom right corner, but goalkeeper Babacar Nisasse was ready and made an amazing save. The Lions of Chinguetti had an opportunity to go ahead in the 29th minute following a great touch by Pape Ibnou Ba after he received a precise pass deep inside the box and ripped a shot goalward, but the keeper pulled off a save to keep the scores level.Dala gave Angola the lead on the half-hour when a loose ball fell his way at a corner and his scruffy acrobatic effort bounced over two defenders on the lineline before Sidi Bouna Amar weaved his way past the opponents before unleashing a low drive from the edge of the box into the middle of the net, leaving goalkeeper Neblu beaten. 🇦🇴 Gelson Dala 🇦🇴Brace-man and Angola’s star of the day is your TotalEnergies Man of the Match! 👏#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #MTNANG | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/QERo486kX2— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 20, 2024 Mauritania coach Amir Abdou made a change after the break resting Aly Abeid for Khadim Diaw but the change had little impact as five minutes later Dala showed his brilliant technique as he gathered the ball and without hesitation ran towards the goalkeeper waggling past three defenders before unleashing a precise shot which ended up inside the left post.Mauritania then paid the price for failing to clear, with Gilberto winning the ball inside the area and watching his shot deflect in off center-back Lamine Ba.Aboubakary Koita slammed in from 20 meters after he was given too much space to raise Mauritanian hopes of a comeback, but Angola held on as Neblu made a crucial save to deny Amar a second of the contest.AFCON2023: Baghdad Bounedjah rescues vital point for Algeria against Burkina FasoAngola have now ended a nine-game winless run at the Africa Cup of Nations dating back to 2012 and take over the top spot in Group D with four points, sitting above Burkina Faso on goals and will secure a slot in the next round with a draw against the Stallions. Mauritania must beat Algeria in Bouake next week to stand a chance of progressing as one of the four best third-placed nations.AFCON 2023- GROUP STAGERound 2ThursdayEquatorial Guinea – Guinea Bissau 4-2 (1-1)/Nsue 21, 51, 61, Miranda 46 – Orosco 37, Ze Turbo 90+3/Ivory Coast – Nigeria 0-1 (0-0)/Troost-Ekong 54 pen/Egypt – Ghana 2-2 (0-1)/Marmoush 69, M. Mohamed 74 – Kudus 45+3, 71/FridayCape Verde – Mozambique 3-0 (1-0)/Bebe 32, Ryan Mendes 51, Kevin Pina 69/Senegal – Cameroon 3-1 (1-0)/I. Sarr 16, H. Diallo 71, Mane 90+5 – Castelletto 83/Guinea – Gambia 1-0 (0-0)/A. Camara 69/Algeria – Burkina Faso 2-2 (0-1)/B. Bounedjah 51,90+5- M. Konate 45+3, B. Traore 71/ Mauritania-Angola (1-1)23:00: (2.75) Tunisia (2.95) Mali (2.85)Sunday17:00: (1.58) Morocco (3.70) DR Congo (6.75)20:00: (2.30) Zambia (3.15) Tanzania (3.35)23:00: (2.00) S.Africa (3.30) Namibia (4.00)***odds are subject to change***
