A disappointed Mauritania look to recover from their opening game defeat when they face Angola in their Africa Cup of Nations encounter at Stade de la Paix on Saturday.

The Lions of Chinguetti lost to a late penalty against Burkina Faso in their Group D opener, while Palancas Negras held 2019 champions Algeria to a 1-1 draw.

Match preview

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Despite a top showing against Burkina Faso, Mauritania had to accept a 1-0 loss following the concession of a late penalty, ultimately converted by Bertrand Traore.

Amir Abdou's troops were lauded for their effort out of possession against the Stallions and controlled aggression that meant their fancied opponents got little joy for much of the encounter.

While Mauritania seek to carry more of an attacking threat against Angola, a baseline guarantee of effort without the ball gives them a chance against their opponents.

Still without maximum points at AFCON, Saturday's encounter represents another opportunity for the Lions of Chinguetti to claim a first win at the Cup of Nations in their eighth game at the continental showpiece.

Whether this materialises remains to be seen, but Abdou should demand his side matches the industry shown against Burkina Faso to give themselves a fighting chance against the Angolans.

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As for the Palancas Negras, they hope to pick up where they left off against Algeria when they take to the field in their second Group D game at AFCON 2023.

Pedro Goncalves's men began slowly against the North Africans and could have fallen 2-0 behind in the opening half, but Baghdad Bounedjah's acrobatic second was ruled out for offside.

The Southern African nation responded strongly after the interlude and had several promising situations on the counter-attack, only to be let down by suboptimal execution before their 68th-minute leveller.

That came from the spot through first-half substitute Mabululu, who dispatched his penalty after Nabil Bentaleb's foul was penalised midway through the second half.

Having put themselves in a promising position with the point against Algeria, Angola know success against the Lions of Chinguetti all but confirms participation in the round of 16.

Team News

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Mauritania may be without striker Aboubakar Kamara and centre-back Lamine Ba, who went off injured in their Group D opener against Burkina Faso.

Abdou is expected to retain the compact 4-4-2 shape that denied the Stallions space and time in the middle third and their defensive area.

Mabululu's impact off the bench could precipitate a start against the Lions of Chinguetti on Saturday, with the 31-year-old winning the penalty that won a creditable point against Algeria.

That could be the only change for Angola, who could switch from a 3-5-2 to a 3-4-3 against Mauritania.

Mauritania possible starting lineup:
Niasse; Keita, El Abd, Yali, Abeid; Thiam, Gassama, Fofana, Tanjy; Koita, Anne

Angola possible starting lineup:
Neblu; Mananga, Gaspar, Quinito; Augusto, Fredy, Show, Fortuna; Luvumbo, Mabululu, Dala

We say: Mauritania 1-0 Angola

While Mauritania could still be disappointed with the defeat at the hands of Burkina Faso, their defensive compactness puts them in good stead against the Angolans, and they could secure a historic first win at the Africa Cup of Nations against the Palancas Negras.


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