Cape Verde edged Mauritania 1-0 in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Monday night.
A late penalty from Ryan Mendes saw the Blue Sharks claim a deserved victory, as they moved into the quarterfinals to match their best-ever Afcon showing, while the Lions of Chinguetti bow out after an historic first progression beyond the group stage.
Mendes threatened twice in the opening 10 minutes, with a shot deflected just wide of the target and an attempted lob which nearly caught out Mauritania goalkeeper Babacar Niasse.
Mauritania’s first effort in anger came from Bodda Mouhsine, who whipped a shot just wide direct from a free kick in the 15th minute.
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The teams traded chances in the opening phase of the second half, and just before the hour mark Mauritania created the clearest opportunity of the game via a powerful run from Bouna Amar, but Souleymane Anne blazed a shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
On 86 minutes a Mauritanian error in defence allowed Cape Verde attacker Gilson to nick ahead of Niasse and earn his team a penalty – Mendes took the spot kick and fired home to put the Blue Sharks 1-0 and a quarterfinal clash with either Morocco or South Africa at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Saturday 3 February.
