Cape Verde secured a historic victory in the knockout phase of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking a milestone in their football history. The Blue Sharks battled against West African neighbors Mauritania in a heated encounter in Abidjan, ultimately clinching the win with Ryan Mendes’ decisive 88th-minute penalty.
โ๏ธ FULL-TIME!
A late penalty sends Cape Verde through! ๐ฅ#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #CPVMTN pic.twitter.com/hdbfKfEgdJ
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 29, 2024
Manager Bubista strategically rested key players in a prior match against Egypt, ensuring peak fitness for the crucial showdown with Mauritania. Despite Mauritania’s relentless pressing and fearlessness in their first-ever AFCON knockout match, Cape Verde dominated with Mendes spearheading numerous attacks. The first half saw both goalkeepers, Vozinha and Babacar Niasse, untested.
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The second half witnessed increased intensity, with Jovane Cabral’s powerful shot testing Niasse. However, Cape Verde’s Aboubakary Koita and Souleymane Anne also had their chances. In a tactical move, head coach Amir Abdou introduced Pape Ibnou Ba and former Fulham player Aboubakar Kamara. Cape Verde responded by bringing on Garry Rodrigues and Kenny Rocha Santos.
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐! โ
The Blue Sharks swim to the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 quarter-finals! ๐ฆ๐จ๐ป pic.twitter.com/jyRpsZ4wz8
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 29, 2024
A turning point came when Niasse’s poor defensive header led to a penalty, allowing Mendes to secure the victory. Despite Mauritania’s efforts during 10 minutes of added stoppage time, Cape Verde held firm, setting the stage for a quarter-final clash with either Morocco or South Africa in Yamoussoukro on Saturday.
This historic win not only propels the Blue Sharks into the AFCON quarter-finals but also highlights their resilience and determination on the continental stage. Football enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome of their upcoming match as Cape Verde continues to make waves in the tournament.
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