Mauritania and Sudan kick off their quest for a place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations when they square off at the Stade Olympique on Thursday.
Both sides have been drawn in Group L of the qualifiers, where both Congo DR and Gabon also await in the the battle for a place at the continental showpiece.
Match preview
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Mauritania made it two wins from two for the first time since June 2021 when they saw off Libya 2-0 in their most recent friendly fixture on March 29.
Aboubakar Kamara opened the scoring in the 39th minute before 24-year-old Hemeya Tanjy made sure of the result from the penalty spot 13 minutes into the second half.
This followed a 2-1 victory over Mozambique on March 26, when Mouhamed Soueid and Lamine Ba scored either side of Melque Alexandre's 90th-minute equaliser to hand the Al-Murabitun a thrilling win.
Prior to both friendly victories, Amir Abdou's men suffered a group-stage exit from the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations when they lost each of their three games to finish rock bottom in Group F.
Mauritania, who are seeking to secure a third successive Africa Cup of Nations appearance, head into the weekend winless in all but one of their last 12 competitive outings, losing nine and claiming two draws.
Their only victory in that time came in December 2021, when they saw off Syria 2-1 at the Al Janoub Stadium in Group B of the Arab Cup courtesy of goals from Soueid and Tanjy.
Sudan, on the other hand, were involved in a share of the spoils for the second consecutive game last time out when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Tanzania on March 29.
After playing out a goalless draw with Central African Republic at home on March 26, Burhan Tia's men travelled to the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, where Siddig Gahdia and Simon Msuva scored for either side to force a share of the spoils.
Like Mauritania, this followed a disappointing run at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, where they were sent packing in the group stages after picking up one point from a possible nine in Group D.
The Secretarybirds have now failed to taste victory in any of their last 15 games across all competitions, losing nine and picking up six draws since a 1-0 win over Libya in the Arab Cup qualifiers back in June 2021.
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Team News
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Abdou has called up a similar squad that went to the Africa Cup of Nations back in January, including captain and former Fulham attacker Aboubakar Kamara.
The 27-year-old, who has scored two goals in eight appearances since making his debut against Morocco in March 2021, should spearhead the attack, alongside FC Nouadhibou forward Tanjy.
Meanwhile, Tia has named a 24-man squad for their upcoming qualification games, with the majority of the players playing in the Sudanese top flight.
The Al-Merrikh trio of goalkeeper Mohamed Mustafa, defender Mustafa Karshoum and forward Sedig Kuwa have all been included in the squad, while the likes of Ali Zizo and Muhamed Ebrahim could be handed their debuts.
Thirty-two-year-old goalkeeper Ali Abu Eshrein is the most capped player in the team with 26 appearances to his name, while Al-Hilal Club forward Muhamed Abdel Rahman will look to enter double digits for gold in the national team.
Mauritania possible starting lineup:
Diop; Keita, L Ba, Yali, Thiam; Soueid, Fofana, Mouhsine; Tanjy, P Ba, Kamara
Sudan possible starting lineup:
Eshrein; Nemer, Karshroum, Mohamedein, Alfadni; Khedr, Raouf, Almunzer; Rahman, Muzmel, Shoala
We say: Mauritania 2-1 Sudan
Mauritania could not have asked for a better opponent to start their qualification campaign as they gave an out-of-sorts Sudan side who have failed to win any of their last 15 outings. The hosts head into the game on a run of two consecutive victories and we are backing them to build on that run and come away with all three points.
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