Joel Reyes
January 24, 2024 at 2:45 PM
- Mauritania booked their place in the last 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a win over Algeria
- Mohamed Dellah Yaly led the Almoravids to victory, scoring the game’s lone goal in the first half
- Mauritanian journalists celebrated like crazy after their country’s historic victory was confirmed
No one saw that coming.
Mauritania recorded one of the biggest upsets in Africa Cup of Nations history, beating Algeria 1-0 on Tuesday night.
Journalists covering the Almoravids couldn’t hide their delight after the final whistle was blown as they witnessed one of the greatest sporting moments in their country’s history.
Source: Getty Images
Mauritanian journalists celebrate like crazy after win
A video has gone viral of Mauritania’s media people celebrating like crazy following the upset victory.
They jumped for joy and hugged each other after their victory was confirmed. Their wild reactions weren’t a complete surprise, though, given the enormity of their achievement.
AFCON 2023: Morocco Star Outlines Atlas Lions Ambition at the Tournament
Football
Mauritania make history with Algeria win
Not only did Mauritania record their first-ever AFCON win against Algeria, but they also booked a spot in the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history.
Mauritania knew ahead of Tuesday’s showdown with the Fennecs that a victory would send them through to the knockout stage.
The odds were stacked against the Almoravids, however, as they are 75 places lower than Algeria in the FIFA World rankings.
AFCON 2023 has delivered plenty of surprises, though, and Mauritania added another one with their win over Algeria.
Mohamed Dellah Yaly starred in that contest, scoring the game’s lone goal in the 37th minute.
Teams that qualified for AFCON last 16
Sports Brief recently reported on the teams that have qualified for the last 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
AFCON 2023: Algeria ‘spied on’ by drone ahead of Ivory Coast vs Guinea Bissau opener
Football
Apart from Mauritania, Guinea also reached the round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams in the group stage.
They join group winners Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, Angola, and Senegal and second-placed teams Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon, and Burkina Faso in the knockout round.