Amidst the intense competition and nail-biting matches in the ongoing AFCON, there are stories that remind us why we love the beautiful game. One such story is that of Mauritania’s remarkable journey, as shared by their coach, Amir Abdou.The team proceeded to the last 16 after beating Algeria by a solitary goal in the final Group D game. The team had lost its first two matches, 2-3 to to Angola and and 0-1 to Burkina Faso before slaying giants Algeria to make it through. Amir Abdou, previously with Comoros, is still enjoying the moment while focusing on the quarterfinal match against Cape Verde tonight. “For us, every moment in this tournament is precious,” begins Abdou, reflecting on Mauritania’s experience in AFCON. “What happened in the last match was extraordinary, and we want to carry on with this spirit.”Despite facing two defeats in the group stage, Mauritania’s resilience and belief never wavered. “In football, there are always surprises. You have to keep believing,” Abdou asserts. “We went all the way for it, and I think we deserved to qualify.”Was glad to see my friend Amir Abdou, the Mauritania coach yesterday. He is confident his team can proceed to the quarterfinals despite a slow start. Mauritania became the third nation in AFCON history to proceed to the round of 16 despite losing two games in the group stage. pic.twitter.com/1OdadgESPG— Jeff Kinyanjui (@_JeffKinyanjui) January 29, 2024 Indeed, their qualification is a testament to their dedication and perseverance. “We are proud and appreciate what we have achieved so far,” Abdou acknowledges. “But that is in the past. What matters is the upcoming game.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7828085##As Mauritania gears up to face Cape Verde in the last 16 clash, Abdou remains optimistic yet realistic about the challenges ahead. “Victory won’t be easy,” he admits. “But we will fight, and we are proud of what we have achieved so far.” AFCON2023: Senegal, Ivory Coast match up highlights Monday actionFacing a formidable opponent in Cape Verde, Abdou acknowledges the strengths of their rivals. “Cape Verde finished first in their group and are a very impressive team with good players and a coach,” he acknowledges. “Our approach will be different to when we played Algeria.”While the spotlight may not shine as brightly on their game compared to the more high-profile matchups, Abdou remains focused on the task at hand. “It’s not a fancy game like Nigeria vs Cameroon,” he observes. “But we have to honor our countries and make them proud.” Regardless of the outcome, Mauritania’s journey in AFCON serves as an inspiration—a reminder that in football, as in life, it’s not always about the result, but the journey and the stories that unfold along the way.Monday20:00: (2.00) Cape Verde (3.20) Mauritania (4.20)23:00: (2.35) Senegal (3.10) Ivory Coast (3.30)Tuesday20:00: (2.30) Mali (3.10) Burkina Faso (3.40)23:00: (1.62) Morocco (3.50) S.Africa (6.50)
