MATCH FACTS: Angola look for big win in final Group D clash at TotalEnergies CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025
CAR cannot make the knockout stages, but a win would put them into the play-offs for the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup as a third-place finisher in the pool.
Angola have a single point from their two games and a -1 goal-difference. They must win bit and hope second-placed Cote d'Ivoire (4 points, +5 goal-difference) suffer a heavy defeat to Mali.
This is the first meeting between the nations at the finals. Angola are facing Central African opponents for the second time, their only previous meeting was against Cameroon in the semi-finals in 2019. The game ended 0-0 before they lost 4-3 in the shoot-out.
Angola's record against tournament debutants reads P4 W1 D1 L2. They have faced tournament debutants previously in 1997 they drew with Zimbabwe 1-1 and lost 4-3 to Ethiopia. While in 2017 they lost to Tanzania 2-1, they won their last game against a debutant against Uganda in 2019. All these games have been at the group stages.
ANGOLA FACTS
· Angola began with a loss to Mali and then drew with Cote d'Ivoire 0-0 in their last group game.
· Their goalless draw against the Ivorians was the first time in 14 group games at the finals that Angola had been involved in a game that did not produce goals. Their 0-0 stalemate was Angola's second goalless draw at the finals along with their 2019 semi-final, which they lost on penalties.
· Angola's third group game has traditionally been a high scoring encounter. In 2017 they lost 6-1 against Mali and in 2019 they won 4-2 against Tanzania.
· Angola's four previous final group games have produced a combined 20 goals, averaging at five goals per game with them scoring 9 and conceding 11.
· Should Angola win it will be the second time along with 2019 that they have won at least one game in the group stages. Should they fail to win they would exit the tournament for the second time winless in the group stages along with 2017.
· In their other group stage exits in 1997 and 1999, Angola had won at least one game.
· In 2017, when Angola exited at the group stage, they lost two games and drew one.
· Progression to the next round will see Angola reach the knockout stage for the second time, along with 2019.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC FACT
· CAR lost their opening game against Cote d'Ivoire 6-1 and then lost 2-0 against Mali.
· CAR are still searching for their first points at the current finals.
· They are facing Southern African opponents for the first time at the finals.
· Should they fail to win, CAR will join Somalia as the second successive debutant to fail to win a game. In 2023 Somalia drew one match and lost two others.
· Defeat for CAR will see them become the first debutant since Eritrea in 2007 to lose all three of their group games.
· In their loss to Mali, they had two players, Nelson Amadi and Chrispin Ngombe, sent off in the 44th and 64th minutes. They played the final 26 minutes of the game with nine men.
· CAR have had a player sent off in each of their games thus far. Guidat Henzo was also red-carded in their 6-1 loss against Cote d'Ivoire.
· No other country has had as many players sent off as CAR. Tanzania are the only other country at the current finals with more than one player having received a red card.
· Against Mali they managed to have four shots on target, the most they have had in a single game at the current finals. In their opening game they could only manage one shot on target.
· In their loss to Mali they managed to have just 27% of the possession, their lowest percentage across their two games. In their opening game they had 40% of the possession.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
3 days ago
- CAF
Ahmed El Moctar's Golden Night: The man who ended Mauritania's goal drought in style
When Mauritania needed a hero, Ahmed Mokhtar Ahmed stepped forward — and in one unforgettable evening at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, he became more than just a striker. He became the lifeline of the Mourabitounes' CHAN 2024 campaign, ending a frustrating scoring drought, securing their first win, and walking away with the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award. Breaking the Drought, Igniting the Dream For two games, Mauritania's forwards had chased goals in vain, firing blanks against Madagascar and Tanzania. But on Saturday, 9 August, Mokhtar changed the story within nine minutes of kick-off. Pouncing on a perfectly delivered cross from Abdallah Mahmoud, he guided the ball into the net with precision and composure. It was a goal that did more than just break the deadlock — it broke the chains of uncertainty, giving Mauritania the belief and momentum they needed to control the game against the Central African Republic. The 1-0 victory lifted Mauritania to four points in Group B and reopened the door to the knockout stages. A Striker's Night to Remember The headlines may focus on his goal, but Mokhtar's impact ran deeper. He wasn't just a finisher — he was a creator, a constant threat, and a tactical focal point in coach Artiz Garai Lopez's attacking plan. From pressing defenders to holding up play and drawing markers away from his teammates, his intelligent movement kept the Central African backline on edge. His work rate and sharp reading of the game turned him into the pivot around which Mauritania's attacks revolved. 'I congratulate my teammates and also the coach after the victory over the Central African Republic. We have now won our first match in the TotalEnergies CHAN, and we will look to deliver a better performance in our next match, God willing,' El Moctar said, smiling in the post-match press conference. Man of the Match and a Mental Boost Winning the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award wasn't just a personal achievement — it was symbolic of Mauritania's revival. For Mokhtar, the recognition was an emotional lift, a public acknowledgment of the energy, movement, and commitment he poured into the game. 'We prepared well for the match against the Central African Republic in training, and in the end, we managed to win,' he added. The Tactical Catalyst Mokhtar's role extended beyond statistics. By drifting wide, dropping deep, and constantly switching positions, he disrupted the rhythm of the Central African defence. His runs created pockets of space for midfielders to exploit, while his link-up play kept Mauritania in control of the tempo. That relentless mobility was not just tactical — it was psychological. His early strike lit a fire in his teammates, raising their tempo and intensifying their duels across the pitch. What Comes Next With this win, Mauritania's hopes remain alive. More importantly, they have rediscovered their scoring touch, and Ahmed Mokhtar has proven he is the man for the big moments. For the Mourabitounes, the mission is clear: build on this performance and carry the momentum into the decisive stages of CHAN 2024.
CAF
3 days ago
- CAF
Garay López hails vital Mauritania win, Ngato vows Central African fightback
Under the bright Nairobi night, Mauritania finally found their rhythm at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 'Pamoja' 2024, edging past the Central African Republic 1-0 in a tense Group B clash that breathed life into their qualification campaign. While the scoreboard told one story, the coaches' words revealed another — a tale of resilience, mutual respect, and a stubborn refusal to surrender in a fiercely competitive group. For Mauritania boss Garay Ortiz López, this was more than just three points. It was validation. Validation for the hours of tactical drills, the adjustments forced by a relentless tournament schedule, and the mental strain of knowing one slip could mean elimination. 'I am happy, and so are all the players in the Mauritanian national team after this win. I am also happy for our players who played a good game. It was difficult to win against the Central African Republic, but in the end, we succeeded and achieved victory,' he said with a smile that masked the pressure of the preceding days. His squad had stumbled early in the tournament, but against a determined Central African side, Mauritania's forwards finally found the cutting edge he had been demanding. 'Our match against the Central African Republic was complicated and difficult. We tried to play attacking football and scored after creating four real scoring chances,' López explained, quick to tip his hat to the opposition. 'I encourage the Central African Republic coach because he also did a good job before the match, and I admire their players a lot.' The victory moved Mauritania to second place with four points, transforming their outlook in the group. Yet López was not blind to the imperfections. 'We have a busy and difficult schedule in this tournament. After every match, we have to change players and the way we play. We sought victory in this match to avoid elimination. The pressure was high on the players. Our performance was not the best, but we chose the ones who could play. We will work on improving our performance in the next match.' On the other side, Central African Republic coach Sébastien Ngato faced the challenge of lifting a side with no points from two games. Yet his tone was far from defeatist. 'I am proud of the level shown by our players. We still have chances in the rest of the competition. We learned lessons from this match against Mauritania and will try to use them later to give a good image of Central African football,' Ngato insisted. His team had spells of pressure, but Mauritania's early strike proved decisive. 'We created chances in attack, but the opponent was stronger than us and scored in the first half early in the match,' he admitted, before turning his focus to solutions. 'We need to focus on the mistakes we made and will try to correct them in the future.' Ngato's belief in qualification remains firm. 'We still have chances to qualify for the next round. We will give our best in the next two matches to go as far as possible,' he said. 'We had chances to score and couldn't take them. We tried to reach the opponent's goal, but what happened happened. "We can't say everything was bad, and our players were bad too. We will work before the next match to correct what can be corrected.' For both coaches, the message was clear: CHAN's group stages are a marathon, not a sprint. Sunday's game may have swung Mauritania's way, but with more matches ahead, the story of Group B is still far from over.
CAF
4 days ago
- CAF
Morocco's unbeaten record faces Kenya's roaring home crowd in CHAN showdown
In a tournament that thrives on drama, history, and national pride, Sunday's clash between Morocco and co-hosts Kenya at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi promises all three in abundance. It's more than just a Group A fixture in the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) — it's a collision between a seasoned continental force and a host nation riding a wave of home support. For Morocco, the equation is simple. Victory means one foot in the knockout stages. Head coach Tarik Sektioui is leaving no room for doubt. 'Our main objective is to get through the first round and that means a victory against Kenya,' he declared on the eve of the match. 'The match against the host country will be approached with the same will and determination to seek the three points of victory.' Sektioui knows the challenge well. Kenya's form — unbeaten after two games — makes them dangerous opponents, especially in front of their home crowd. 'Kenya has played well and the match against them will be difficult. We must give our all for 90 minutes on the pitch to achieve a positive result,' he added, underlining that every player in his squad 'has abilities and adds value to the team's performance.' Morocco's Momentum Meets Kenya's Rising Confidence This encounter marks Morocco's first-ever CHAN meeting with Kenya, but the Atlas Lions' record against East African sides offers confidence: unbeaten in five matches, with three wins and two draws. More tellingly, Morocco have a habit of silencing tournament hosts — 4-1 against Rwanda in 2016 and 4-0 over Cameroon in the 2020 semi-finals. Yet, Sektioui remains cautious, mindful of the dangers of overconfidence. His side had a week's rest after their opening 2-0 win over Angola — a blessing and a potential pitfall. 'It's a double-edged sword that you have to manage well to put in a good performance,' he admitted. From the players' perspective, the focus is crystal clear. Winger Oussama Lamlioui knows the atmosphere will be charged. 'The match will be difficult because we will play against the host country which will be more motivated by its public, but we have prepared well to start this match well,' he said. 'Preparations are going well and we are ready to make the difference against Kenya. We will give our all during this match and secure the three points of victory.' Kenya's Defiant Stand Under McCarthy Kenya arrive with confidence of their own. A 1-0 win over DR Congo and a hard-fought goalless draw with Angola have put them within touching distance of the quarter-finals. Austin Odhiambo has been the star man, scoring both of Kenya's goals and becoming the first Kenyan to net in consecutive matches in CAF senior competition. Head coach Benni McCarthy — who famously scored against Morocco in the 1998 AFCON — knows exactly what his players are up against. 'Morocco is a strong and well-organized team. It will be a tough match against one of the best teams not only in our group, but in the league,' he acknowledged. Fatigue could be a factor, with Kenya having played just two days earlier. 'Morocco has had a week to prepare for this match, as we played our last match only two days ago,' McCarthy said. 'I hope the motivation and physical condition will be there to play well in the match against Morocco.' For McCarthy, the challenge is also an opportunity. 'Several positive things have come out of our first two matches, such as resilience and strong character, and I hope that will show against Morocco. Morocco is unpredictable and that is why we must produce quality and be more organized in all areas of the game.' History Beckons Morocco's CHAN record speaks volumes: unbeaten in their last 14 matches (12 wins, 2 draws), with three consecutive clean sheets and just two defeats in 20 games. A second straight win here would mirror their flawless start in 2018 — the year they went on to lift the trophy. Kenya, meanwhile, are chasing their own piece of history. A win would make them only the third debutant in CHAN history to reach the knockout stages, and they would do it by toppling one of the tournament's giants. When the whistle blows on Sunday evening, it won't just be about three points. It will be about a host's courage, a champion's ambition, and the kind of football theatre that makes CHAN unforgettable.
