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2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Group E preview

By Liam Bekker

12 April 2019, Egypt, Cairo: Retired Cameroonian footballer Rigobert Song holds the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy on top of an open top bus during a tour in the streets of Cairo ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations draw, which to take place at the Pyramids of Giza. Photo: Hassan Mohamed/dpa (Photo by Hassan Mohamed/picture alliance via Getty Images)
12 April 2019, Egypt, Cairo: Retired Cameroonian footballer Rigobert Song holds the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy on top of an open top bus during a tour in the streets of Cairo ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations draw, which to take place at the Pyramids of Giza. Photo: Hassan Mohamed/dpa (Photo by Hassan Mohamed/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
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Cameron’s player Vincent Aboubacar (L) scores a goal against Mauritania goalkeeper Ibrahim Soulyemane (R) on June 14, 2015 at the Mamadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaounde during 2017 African Cup of Nations qualification match between Cameroon and Mauritania. AFP PHOTO / STR (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
Cameron’s player Vincent Aboubacar (L) scores a goal against Mauritania goalkeeper Ibrahim Soulyemane (R) on June 14, 2015 at the Mamadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaounde during 2017 African Cup of Nations qualification match between Cameroon and Mauritania. AFP PHOTO / STR (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images) /

Mauritania

Mauritania are one of three nations making their Africa Cup of Nations debut. Ranked 103rd in the world, they are the lowest ranked nation in Group E and are unlikely to progress to the knockout stages.

Qualification

The Northwest African nation shared a qualification group with Angola and recorded a 1-0 win in their tie in October 2018. That result, coupled with two wins over Botswana and another over Burkina Faso saw them qualify second on head-to-head goal difference to the Angolans. Ismaël Diakité was the nation’s leading scorer in qualifying with three goals, including among which was a brace against Botswana that saw Mauritania qualify for its first ever AFCON tournament.

The squad

Mauritania have one of the lesser known squads at the Africa Cup of Nations although followers of Spanish soccer will be familiar with Aly Abeid and Hacen El Ide, who ply their trade in La Liga and the Segunda Division respectively. The nation’s most-capped player and all-time leader goalscorer, Bessam, has also been included.

https://twitter.com/KwabenaMarfo/status/1130733679981015041

Key player: Bessam

It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Bessam being the key man for Mauritania. The 31-year old has been a mainstay in the international squad since his debut in 2013 and will reach his 50th cap for his nation if he features throughout the group stages. Not much is expected of Mauritania at the Africa Cup of Nations but Bessam will no doubt lead his team with aplomb as they seek to cause and upset or two.

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