Latest news with #Al-Murabitoune
CAF
4 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
El Mami Tetah: The relentless force powering Mauritania's TotalEnergies CHAN dream
On a tense East African evening at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Mauritania found its hero. El Mami Tetah, the tireless striker whose energy never seemed to fade, turned a fiercely contested encounter against Burkina Faso into a defining step toward the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 quarter-finals. It wasn't just his skill that shone — it was his constant movement, clever positioning, and the decisive moment that would separate the two sides. The Moment That Changed Everything Tetah's night was one of persistence rewarded. In a match marked by heavy tackles and defensive grit, it was his sharp attacking instinct that forced the penalty leading to the only goal of the game. His relentless harassment of the Burkinabe backline kept them unsettled, and by full time, he had not only played a starring role in securing three priceless points — pushing Mauritania to seven in the group standings — but also walked away with the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award. "I feel good after this important win. It was a great victory against Burkina Faso," Tetah said with a smile during the post-match press conference. Pride in Wearing the Jersey For Tetah, the personal accolade was more than a trophy — it was a tribute to his service to the national team. "I am very happy to be named TotalEnergies Man of the Match by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), especially since it means to me that I have given something important in this match to my country, whose jersey I am proud to wear." That pride reflected the broader sentiment in the Mauritanian camp: satisfaction at overcoming a tough group and belief that more is possible. Mauritania's Steady Rise in a Tough Group Group B had been anything but easy. Four games against seasoned opponents tested Mauritania's resolve. Yet, their record tells a story of progress: two wins, a draw, and a narrow defeat to hosts Tanzania. "Mauritania's journey in the tournament so far has been good. We have won two matches, drawn one, and lost one against the host country. These are very good results in a difficult group that includes well-known teams," Tetah said. With one group match remaining, the striker was already looking ahead. "Now I think we have achieved what we needed to, and we will wait for the final match in the group, which we hope will officially announce our qualification to the quarter-finals of the tournament." More Than Just a Good Night Tetah's display was the product of weeks of preparation, conditioning, and a keen understanding of how to exploit defensive lapses. His speed, timing, and intelligence on the pitch made him a constant threat — and if Mauritania reaches the knockout rounds, he will be expected to deliver again. As the Al-Murabitoune edge closer to a potential historic achievement, Tetah's form could well be the difference between a solid campaign and a storybook finish.
CAF
4 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Lopez's pride in Mauritania's historic feat, Balboune's vision for a stronger Burkina future
In the bustling atmosphere of Dar es Salaam's Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, the night told two very different stories. One was of joy, pride, and a place in the history books; the other was of frustration, lessons learned, and eyes fixed on redemption. Mauritania's Aritz Garay Lopez left the pitch with a wide smile, his players having secured a narrow but vital 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024. Across the technical area, Burkina Faso's Issa Balboune carried the weight of elimination but also the determination to build for the future. Mauritania's Winning Mentality from the First Whistle For Garay Lopez, this was not just another win — it was proof of his team's resilience and growth. From kick-off, the 'Al-Murabitoune' looked composed, organised, and hungry for victory. "Our team showed a lot of character from the start of the match," said Garay, still visibly pleased in the post-match press conference. "We are happy, we played well, we controlled the game and we managed to score from a penalty kick. The first half of the match was fantastic. We defended well and played better in attack as well." That first-half performance laid the foundation for the three points that would take Mauritania to seven points, sealing Burkina Faso's exit. A Historic Achievement for Mauritanian Football The Spanish coach didn't hide his pride in what the result meant for Mauritania's footballing journey. "The victory was very important. We now have seven points, and Burkina Faso were eliminated from the tournament after this result. We were excellent, but we still felt a little tired and under pressure in the second half. He went further, underlining just how rare this moment was in the nation's CHAN history. "We managed to win two consecutive matches in a major and strong tournament, something Mauritania had never achieved before. We have also conceded only one goal so far in the tournament, and that was against the host country, Tanzania." Burkina Faso's Painful Exit For Issa Balboune, the post-match reflections were tinged with honesty and regret. Mauritania's clinical approach left little room for a comeback. "We lost our match against Mauritania, which was very difficult. Our opponent was better than us and took advantage of their attacking opportunities better, and played better than we did," Balboune admitted, his expression revealing the sting of defeat. Fighting Against Circumstance, Planning for Tomorrow Despite the disappointment, Balboune chose to focus on the lessons learned rather than dwell on the loss. "Unfortunately, things changed during the match and went against our plans. We will continue our work to reach a better level than we have reached. We will see what happens in the future." His words reflected a mindset that refuses to accept defeat as the final chapter — a promise that the 'Stallions' will come back stronger. Two Coaches, Two Realities Garay Lopez's pride mirrors the upward curve of Mauritanian football, while Balboune's resolve hints at a longer journey for Burkina Faso. The match was more than just a group-stage clash — it was a moment that captured the essence of tournament football: for one team, history was made; for the other, the groundwork for a brighter tomorrow began.
