Mauritania make fast start against Central African Republic

Three points, ten men, and a Casablanca statement

Mauritania wasted no time settling their 2027 AFCON qualifying opener. The Mourabitounes beat Central African Republic 3-1 on Thursday at the Larbi-Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, in the opening round of Group F.

Aboubakary Koita broke through in the 32nd minute. Four minutes into the second half, Goduine Koyalipou pulled one back for Central African Republic. Mauritania answered fast. Dawda Camara restored the lead in the 69th minute, then Mamadou Diallo closed it out deep into stoppage time, in the 89th.

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Ten men, no answers

Julian Kouadio saw red in the 74th minute. From there, Central African Republic never really threatened again. Down a man, they couldn’t slow Mauritania’s push through a finish that turned frantic.

Results like this one say something about where Mauritanian football sits these days. Once an afterthought on the continental stage, the Mourabitounes now show up at major tournaments with some regularity.

Benin waits

Next stop for Mauritania: away to Benin on 29 September, round two of Group F. They travel with confidence after a win that was rarely in doubt. Central African Republic, meanwhile, need a quick turnaround if they want to stay in the qualification race.

Mauritania have already surprised people once by reaching the AFCON finals. A win at the Larbi-Zaouli Stadium fits the pattern the federation has been building toward for a decade now.

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