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End of the game:
Key moments
Mamadou Diallo! Goal!, Goal!, Goal of Mauritânia. The home scores the third goal of the match and liquidates their rival.
Five minutes of stoppage time will be played. The match has become dull and predictable. Mauritania has stopped attacking to avoid taking risks against their opponent. Meanwhile, the Central African Republic has been trying, but without the necessary clarity.
Mauritania had two chances to further extend their lead. With their opponents down to ten men, the latter appeared completely outclassed. The coach is urging the team to remain compact and disciplined to avoid the risk of counter-attacks.
Julien Kouadio was sent off for the Central African Republic after receiving a second yellow card. The visiting team's game plan fell apart completely. After equalizing, they had come close to taking the lead, but the goal and the subsequent sending-off completely sank them.
Let's take another look at the first goal of the match:
Dawda Camera! Goal!, Goal!, Goal!, Goal of Mauritânia. The locals go up again, with an exquisite definition.
The match has lost its momentum. Individual effort is prevailing over quality. Mauritania has been drawn into their opponent's game of competing and battling. They are gradually appearing increasingly desperate, as they have failed to get back on track.
Mauritania made two substitutions—their third set of changes in the match—seeking to regain possession and reassert control on the pitch. The Central Africans are defending in a low-to-mid block, withstanding the pressure without difficulty.
Mauritania continues to struggle defending the flanks. The hosts have lost all the ground they gained in the first half. The Central African Republic had a chance to take the lead, but the goalkeeper was brilliant in that moment.
Mauritania was taken aback by its opponent's attitude; the rival came out aggressively, looking to equalize with a completely different tactical strategy. The Central African Republic is keen to keep the momentum going, and as a result, all the players are already warming up on the bench.
Goduine Koyalipou! Goal!, Goal!, Goal of the Central African Republic. In the first dangerous play of the second half.
Halftime:
Folks, we're heading into the break. A good first half for Mauritania. The hosts are leading 1–0, comfortably and without any trouble against the Central Africans, who look quite naive and lacking in rhythm!
Aboubakary Koita, the AEK Athens forward, is the standout player of the match—not only for opening the scoring but also for causing the Central African defenders so much trouble. Two more minutes will be played in Casablanca.
The Central African Republic pushed their lines forward and went in search of an equalizer. The Mauritania coach is urging his players to stay calm and compact; the first half is drawing to a close. Going into the break with the lead is crucial.
The key for Mauritania lies in winning individual duels in the opposition's penalty area; that is the difference between the two teams. The Central African Republic has been crucial in aerial duels, cutting out the home side's deliveries.
Aboubakary Koita! Goal!, Goal!, Goal of Mauritânia. The locals go up, from the white spot of the penalty.
We have reached the 30-minute mark of the match. Mauritania has had 7 attempts, but only 3 were on target. Meanwhile, the Central African Republic has had 3 attempts, but without success.We have reached the 30-minute mark of the match. Mauritania has had 7 attempts, but only 3 were on target. Meanwhile, the Central African Republic has had 3 attempts, but without success.
In the first 25 minutes of the match, Mauritania has completed 156 passes—almost double the number made by their opponents. The home side favors a patient, collective build-up, while the Central Africans employ a direct style with frequent long balls.
Mauritania has capitalized on its strength in wide play. They have had three scoring opportunities, but their opponents managed to intervene at the crucial moment. The Central Africans have read the game well; they understand that the pressure is on the home team.
The first 10 minutes of the match in Casablanca, Morocco. Mauritania has taken the initiative, but their opponents have defended well. The coach's instructions are clear: press the opposition as they play out from the back and prevent the Central Africans from building up their game.
Substitutes:
Substitutes Mauritania
- 12 M. Ali Diadie
- 14 A. Ba
- 16 B. Niasse
- 17 A. Mahmoud
- 2 K. Diaw
- 20 I. Keita
- 23 A. M'Bareck
- 24 Y. Ethmane
- 27 M. Fofana
- 4 D. Saleck
- 9 H. Tanjy
- 97 M. Diallo
Substitutes Central African Republic
- A. Kolimba 12
- S. Wattel 13
- J. Sabone 14
- S. Tatolna 18
- C. Yawanendji 19
- J. Ngoya 21
- P. Guinari 24
- S. Kaïmba 3
- F. Yangao 5
- E. Okeke 8
- I. Solet 8
- E. Takolingba 87
- D. Mokonou 9
A. Kolimba
The game started:
Throughout its history, the Central African Republic's national football team has not had the opportunity to face major global powers from Europe or South America (such as Brazil, Argentina, France, or Germany) in either official matches or friendlies, with its record almost entirely confined to African competitions. Within this regional context, its most significant matchups have been against continental giants like Ghana, Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast; while the team often plays the underdog in these encounters, it has achieved memorable moments, such as a historic 1–0 away victory over Nigeria in Lagos during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Throughout its footballing history, the Mauritanian national team has not played official matches against historic giants from Europe or South America—such as Brazil, Argentina, or France—focusing instead on major challenges against the titans of the African continent. Its competitive growth has been gradual: the team evolved from suffering heavy defeats in the last century against regional powerhouses like Algeria (including 5–0 thrashings) and Morocco to achieving historic feats in recent years. Highlights include a 1–0 victory over Algeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations—securing an unprecedented spot in the Round of 16—as well as valuable official draws against World Cup participants and African champions such as Tunisia, Egypt, and Senegal.
The first official match between Mauritania and the Central African Republic took place on November 15, 2019, during the opening round of Group E in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. In that historic encounter, held at the Stade de la Capitale in Nouakchott, the Mauritanian national team secured a commanding 2–0 victory, with goals from El Hacen El Id in the 27th minute and Diallo Guidileye in stoppage time (90+1).
In its last five matches—comprising both competitive and friendly games—the Central African Republic national football team has recorded one win, one draw, and three losses. Their run began in the African World Cup qualifiers with a tough 0–2 home defeat against Comoros and a crushing 0–5 loss to Ghana, though they managed a brief recovery by beating Chad 3–2 away. Subsequently, in their most recent friendlies, they secured a 1–1 draw against Togo and concluded the series of matches with a 3–0 defeat away to Angola.
In its last five matches, the Mauritania national football team recorded a record of one win, two draws, and two losses. The run began on November 25, 2025, with a 0–2 defeat against Kuwait in the FIFA Arab Cup qualifiers. Moving into 2026, the team played a series of international friendlies: on March 27, they put up a fight but lost 1–2 to Argentina; on June 5, they drew 1–1 with Angola; and finally, on June 8, they returned to winning ways by defeating Niger 1–0.
The greatest figure and historical icon of Mauritanian football is forward Cheikh El Khalil Moulaye Ahmed, popularly known as Bessam. Considered the key architect behind the resurgence and professionalization of Mauritanian football over the last decade, Bessam is the national team's all-time leading scorer, with 13 goals in 66 continental matches. His impact was pivotal: he scored the decisive goal in the qualifier against Senegal that secured his country's historic first-ever qualification for an official tournament (the 2014 African Nations Championship). Furthermore, he led the Mourabitounes to their maiden qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and excelled at the club level, with stints in the leagues of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, alongside winning multiple domestic titles with FC Nouadhibou.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers are typically organized into a preliminary round followed by a main group stage. In the preliminary round, the confederation's (CAF) lowest-ranked national teams face each other in two-legged knockout ties to reduce the number of participants. Once the teams advancing from this stage are determined, they join the higher-ranked teams to form a final pool of 48 countries, which are then drawn into 12 groups of four teams each.
In the group stage, the four teams in each group compete in a round-robin format—playing each opponent twice (home and away)—earning three points for a win and one for a draw. At the conclusion of the six scheduled matchdays, the top two teams from each group secure a direct spot in the tournament's final phase, thereby completing the field of 24 participants. However, the host nation qualifies automatically regardless of its standing in its group; consequently, only the best-performing remaining team in that specific group claims the second available spot.
Xi: lineups
Mauritania: Diop, Abeid, Ba, Keita, Lefort, Magassa, Lekoueiry, Ngom, Koita, Diallo, Gassama.
Central African Republic: Youfeigane, Yangao, Basse-Zokana, Fourdeau, Guesset-Bangagbi, Ato-Zandanga, Gambor, Mokonou, Djimet, Baboula, Yawanendji-Malipangou.
Mauritania secured their first victory in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. A good result for the home side. The Central Africans had spells of good play, but it wasn't enough.
Mamadou Diallo 89'
Dawda Camara 69'
Aboubakary Koita 32' (Pen.)