2023 AFCON: Cape Verde reaches quarter-finals after seeing off Mauritania with a 1-0 win
Cape Verde continued their impressive campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament on Monday evening after beating Mauritania 1-0 in the Round 16 stage.
Following the victory, Cape Verde has reached the quarter-final stage of the ongoing continental showpiece in Ivory Coast. ‘
Today’s Round 16 clash between Cape Verde and Mauritania was played at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.
Both national teams of the two countries put up a good fight in the first half but neither side could get on the scoresheet.
In the second half, a good contest ensued between the two countries but it was Cape Verde that managed to find the back of the net to eventually win the match.
Talented forward Ryan Mendes netted the only goal of the game in the 88th minute from 12 yards.
Courtesy of the narrow 1-0 win, Cape Verde has knocked Mauritania out of the 2023 AFCON to make it to the last 8 stage.
After his outstanding performance for Cape Verde this evening, Ryan Mendes has been selected as the MVP.
His solitary strike late in the second half settled the contest to send his country into the quarter-finals.
He has been a star for his country since the start of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
In him, Cape Verde will hope to find inspiration to progress further to the semi-final stage.
After making it to the quarter-final stage, Cape Verde will now face off with the winner of the Round 16 game between Ivory Coast and Senegal.
That game between the host nation and the defending champions is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm tonight.