Ryan Mendes scored the winning goal for Cape Verde, bringing an end to Mauritania’s fairy tale in the ongoing Afcon in Ivory Coast on Monday night.
Both teams put in their best efforts to entertain the thousands of spectators at the stadium and the millions watching from home.
Despite their efforts, neither team managed to score in the first half. As the clock reached the 85th minute, it seemed like extra time was inevitable.
However, substitute Yassin El Welly casually headed the ball towards Gilson Benchimol in the 86th minute.
In an attempt to save the situation, goalkeeper Babacar Niasse conceded a penalty. Captain Ryan Mendes confidently converted the penalty kick, securing Cape Verde’s spot in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory.
Babacar Niasse should be acknowledged for his exceptional goalkeeping skills, which prevented Cape Verde from scoring with his fantastic saves.
It is undeniable that he played a crucial role in keeping the opposing team at bay. It is unfortunate that Niasse ended up on the losing team, as his performance deserved better.
On the other hand, Yassin El Welly‘s lack of concentration was unexpected by Mauritania, especially after their spirited performance. This mistake from the defender undermined all the hard work put in by the team and the technical bench.
Cape Verde has achieved a remarkable feat by advancing to the Round of 16 for the second consecutive time. They are now determined to proceed further in the competition with confidence, facing either the host country, Ivory Coast, or the defending champions, Senegal, in the next phase.
On the other hand, Mauritania has had their best performance at the Afcon tournament, and they will use this experience as a foundation for future editions.
