Ahmed fires Mauritania to CHAN first win

DAR ES SALAAM: Mauritania secured their first victory of the tournament yesterday, edging past the Central African Republic 1–0 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Courtesy of an early strike from Ahmed El Moctar Ahmed.

The lively forward netted in the ninth minute, coolly finishing a well-delivered set-piece from Abdallahi Mahmoud.

That lone goal proved decisive, lifting Mauritania to second place in the group with four points from three matches.

It was a much-needed boost for the Mauritanians, who opened their campaign with a hard-fought draw against Madagascar before falling to hosts Tanzania in their second outing.

In stark contrast, it’s been a tournament to forget so far for the Central African Republic.

Still searching for their first point, they remain rooted to the bottom of the table after back-to-back defeats the first, a 4–2 loss to Burkina Faso and now this narrow setback against Mauritania.

With qualification still up for grabs, Mauritania’s hopes are alive and kicking thanks in no small part to Ahmed’s early heroics.