Cape Verde 1-0 Mauritania: Late Mendes penalty propels Blue Sharks into the quarterfinals
Cape Verde edged out a combative Mauritania side to book their place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals.
The Blue Sharks may have had 69 percent possession, but they had to wait until Ryan Mendes’ 88th minute penalty to gain a decisive lead.
Bubista’s side progress to face either South Africa or Morocco in what will surely be a tough quarterfinal, but they will be buoyant after their first ever knockout win.
Ferocious Mauritanian pressing brought a frenzied pace to the opening stages, but Cape Verde had imposed themselves by the half.
For all their possession, though, the Blue Sharks failed to seriously threaten Babacar Niasse’s goal.
It was the Mauritanians who created the first clear-cut chance of the tie, but Souleymane Anne sliced over in the 59th minute after racing onto Sidi Amar’s through-ball.
Anne in action
The Blue Sharks gained the momentum as the game drew on, but Niasse prevented them from making it count.
The goalkeeper parried away Garry Rodrigues’ driven shot in the 78th minute and then reacted brilliantly as Mendes headed goalward two minutes later.
Niasse was also a domineering aerial presence
However, the goalkeeper was left in a helpless position when the substitute Yassin Cheikh El Welly made an ill-advised header back towards goal in the 87th minute.
Cape Verde’s Gilson Benchimol latched onto the loose ball and Niasse was forced to bring him down.
Mendes then punctuated another impressive performance with a powerful penalty.
What next for Cape Verde?
The Atlas Lions or the Bafana Bafana await the Blue Sharks in the quarterfinals, with Morocco ranking amongst the tournament favourites.
South Africa have been a mixed bag so far, but a shock win over the Lions would provide some serious momentum for Broos’ Bafana.
Bubista’s side will take confidence from today’s gritty win, with the contributions of substitute forwards a particularly encouraging area.
Feature image credits: Ben Sutherland
