Parancas Negras beat Mauritania to top Group D
Story by Raynald Ngwarati, Sports Reporter
ANGOLA are on the verge of reaching the knockout stage at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought three-two victory over Mauritania in a Group D encounter last night.
Angola showed character to deny Mauritania a comeback in the match as the Palancas Negras edged the Islanders in a five-goal thriller at Stade Bouaké this Saturday.
A Gelson Dala braces propelled Angola to the summit of Group D as they showed grit and determination to beat Mauritania three-two in a fiery battle.
Fellow Group D contenders Burkina Faso saw their efforts going to waste as Baghad Bounedjah scored deep in stoppage time to earn Algeria a two-all draw.
Bounedjah who cancelled out Mohammed Konaté’s strike, helped his side collect their second point at AFCON 2023 with a last-gasp equaliser to complete his brace.
Meanwhile, Tunisia earned their first point of the tournament, after forcing a one-all draw with Group E leaders, Mali at Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium late last night.
Mali failed to make their possession count, as Hamza Rafia’s 20th-minute goal earned Tunisia a much-needed point in their bid to survive group-stage elimination.
With just a single point from two matches, Tunisia will have their sights set on the Southern African derby pitting regional rivals Namibia and South Africa at 10 pm.
Namibia occupies the second spot in Group E with three points, while Bafana Bafana anchors the group standings without a point.
Before the much-awaited derby, it will be a clash of giants at Stade de San Pedro as Morocco takes on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at 4 pm.
Morocco who currently top Group F with a win in their opening match, will be looking to seal qualification to the next round, while DRC needs a victory to gain an advantage over third-placed Zambia.
Chipolopolo still have a chance to put one foot into the next round if they beat Tanzania at the same venue at 7 pm.
Zambia will be counting on their superior record against the Taifa stars, having won 18 encounters against Tanzania in 32 matches.
