Mauritania Edge Central African Republic to Keep CHAN PAMOJA 2024 Hopes Alive

Mauritania kept their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 campaign alive with a disciplined and determined 1–0 victory over debutants Central African Republic (CAR) in Dar es Salaam on Saturday evening, courtesy of an early strike from Ahmed El Moctar.

The ninth-minute goal, a close-range finish from Abdallahi Mahmoud’s teasing cross, proved decisive in a tense Group B contest that both teams had labelled as “do-or-die” before kick-off. For the Mourabitounes, it was more than just three points—it was their first goal of the tournament and only their second-ever victory in CHAN finals history, keeping their quarter-final hopes alive.

Mauritania struck early with precision. A bright move down the right saw Mahmoud arc a dangerous ball across the six-yard box, and El Moctar arrived unmarked at the back post to guide it into the bottom left corner.

CAR responded with urgency, though their chances lacked the finishing touch. Dimitri Kogbeto and Nelson Ngaro both saw goal-bound efforts blocked in the 20th minute, while Mauritania’s goalkeeper Abderrahmane Sarr pulled off a crucial fingertip save to deny Flory Yangao’s header in the 35th minute.

The Mourabitounes remained compact, absorbing pressure and looking to break through the tireless runs of Moulaye Al Khalil and El Moctar. Mahmoud went close to doubling the lead with a header just before the break, but his effort drifted wide.

CAR head coach Etienne Ngato introduced Juvénal Pouguy at half-time to inject pace and energy in the wide areas. The move shifted the game’s momentum, but Mauritania’s back line—marshalled by Demini Saleck and Alassane Diop—stood firm.

CAR applied sustained pressure, winning a series of corners around the hour mark. Miambaye Fourdeau headed wide, and Ghislain Mounguide’s powerful drive was blocked at close range.

As the Beasts chased an equaliser, frustration grew. Yellow cards were shown to Donald Guesset-Bangagbi, Ange Zoumara, Fourdeau, and Kogbeto, while Mauritania’s Nouh El Abd also went into the referee’s book.

Sarr’s calm presence proved vital. He parried a low drive from Kogbeto on 80 minutes and produced the save of the night deep into stoppage time—back-pedalling to claw away Ronaldo Zé’s close-range header in the 90+3rd minute.

Even when Melky-Jerede Ndokomandji tried from distance in the dying moments, Mauritania’s defensive line threw bodies in the way before Diop won a relieving free-kick to run down the clock.

Mauritania’s Spanish head coach, Artiz López Garai, managed the game expertly. He introduced El Mami Tetah and Mohamed Saïd on 58 minutes to refresh the flanks, followed by Mohamed Hawbott and Mohamed Zweide as the match tightened. Oumar Mangane’s stoppage-time cameo helped see out the final moments.

CAR brought on Vianney Nguindipo and Ndokomandji in the 69th minute and later Ronaldo Zé in the 78th to overload the attack, but their service from wide areas lacked consistency, and Mauritania’s first-line defensive headers kept them at bay.

The result lifts Mauritania’s spirits and keeps them in the race for a place in the knockout stages after a goalless draw with Madagascar and a narrow loss to hosts Tanzania.

For CAR, two defeats from two leave them needing a win in their final group match—and results elsewhere to go in their favour—to have any chance of progressing. While their build-up play, particularly Yangao’s crossing and Pouguy’s drive, showed promise, they lacked the cutting edge to break down a well-drilled Mauritanian defence.

On a night billed as a must-win for both sides, Mauritania seized their moment early and defended it with conviction, proving that in tournament football, one goal and resolute organisation can be enough to turn a campaign around.

Final Score: Mauritania 1–0 Central African Republic

Goal: Ahmed El Moctar (9’)