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CAF
3 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
3 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Mauritania hold off Burkina to reach seven points in CHAN Group B
Mauritania edged a bruising, high-stakes CHAN Group B tie 1-0 against 10-man Burkina Faso in Dar es Salaam, Alassane Diop's first-half penalty enough to settle a contest shaped by a VAR red card and frantic late defending. El Mami Tetah won the decisive spot-kick deep into first-half stoppage time after Kalifa Nikièma tangled with the winger in the area; following a review, Moroccan referee Jelly Chavane pointed to the spot and Diop drove low into the left corner. It crowned a chaotic end to the half that had already seen Abdoulaye Touré dismissed for violent conduct, upgraded to red after another VAR check. The result follows Madagascar's 2-0 win over Central African Republic earlier in the day and lifts Mauritania to seven points from four matches, second behind hosts Tanzania. Burkina Faso remain on three points and, with only one game to play, can no longer catch the top two; their CHAN campaign is effectively over given the standings after Wednesday's action. A half that turned on discipline and video reviews With both sides told this was 'must-win' territory in the pre-match build-up, the opening exchanges were predictably combative. Burkina Faso threatened in a flurry on 14 minutes: Issouf Kaboré and Abdoul Abass Guiro saw efforts blocked before Ousmane Siry's drive was clawed away by Abderrahmane Sarr; Papus Ouattara twice headed off target soon after. Mauritania steadied and carried a growing set-piece threat. Patrick Malo was cautioned for a heavy challenge on Tetah before tempers boiled over: Touré's off-the-ball offence on Moulaye Al Khalil initially drew yellow, then red after review. The Stallions' discipline unravelled again in added time. Issouf Kaboré fouled Tetah on halfway, Nikièma then felled the winger in the box and, after a lengthy VAR check (45+6), Diop did the rest from 12 yards. Stallions rally with 10 men – and hit the post Credit to Issa Balbon's side: a man down, they came out swinging. Patrick Malo forced Sarr into a save from range seconds after the restart and Ladji Brahima Sanou twice kept Burkina in it, tipping over Tetah's angled effort and then getting down smartly to the same player's skidding drive . Mauritania, switched on to manage the game, shuffled the pack: El Mami Tetah made way for Mohamed El Kheir Faraji late on after a busy night of winning free-kicks and shots on target, while Hamady N'Diaye and Moctar El Hacen arrived to shore up midfield legs. Still the danger flickered. Abdoul Baguian met a Mohamed Guira cross with a thumping header that struck the right post, before substitute Papus Ouattara was denied by Sarr at point-blank range . In a frantic finale, Sarr clutched an Abdoul Abass Guiro header low to his right and a swerving long-ranger from Moctar El Hacen drew a flying save from Sanou at the other end. Streetwise Mauritania control the details This was not a night for flowing football. It was a night for timing blocks, buying fouls and concentration at set plays. Nouh El Abd and Soukrana Mheimid defended their box stoutly; Abdallahi Mahmoud's energy knitted Mauritania's 4-1-4-1 together; and the centre-back pair dealt well with aerial traffic as Burkina loaded up late balls. Diop's caution (59) came amid a spiky spell, but Mauritania largely kept their heads while the Stallions' card count grew – Koutiama (62) and Diallo (66) shown yellows before Ouattara was booked in added time (89). What it means The victory moves Mauritania to second on seven points, behind perfect Tanzania on nine. With Madagascar up to four after beating CAR, the Barea are the only side who can still draw level with Mauritania on the final day – but Burkina Faso, marooned on three, can no longer reach the top two in a five-team group. For Artiz López Garai, whose team had scored just once in their first three matches, this was exactly the street-smart performance he demanded – and the moment that may yet carry the Mourabitounes into the last eight. For the Stallions, who struck woodwork and asked late questions despite a man disadvantage for more than 50 minutes, the damage was done by a rash moment and a call confirmed by the monitors.
