Mauritania will take on Gabon in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification group I match at the Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya on Saturday.
Kick-off is 9:00 pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
The Lions of Chinguetti secured a 3-0 win over Sudan away on 20 June as they snapped their three-match winless run in the group including back-to-back defeats to DR Congo.
Mauritania are placed second in the group I standings - two points behind leaders DR Congo and the Lions of Chinguetti will qualify for the 2023 Afcon finals if they defeat Gabon.
Meanwhile, Gabon succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to DR Congo at home on 18 June as the West-Central African side recorded their second successive defeat in the group.
The Panthers are placed third in the group I standings - two points behind leaders DR Congo and they will book their spot in the 2023 Afcon finals if they secure a win over Mauritania.
WHAT WAS SAID
Mauritania head coach Amir Abdou
"No, For me, that's not possible [adopting a defensive approach against Gabon]. To say that we're going to close the door and put the key under the mat.," Abdou told the media.
"No, that's not the way to approach a match. We play to win. We wait-and-see attitude against an opponent of Gabon's quality, with its attacking assets, including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, would not be the right solution."
Gabon goalkeeper Jean-Noël Amonome
“Our preparations in Marrakech are very satisfactory for this crucial match for qualification for Afcon 2023 in Ivory Coast," Amonome said on Gabon All Sport.
“One goal: victory this Saturday in Mauritania. I strongly hope that our wish and that of almost all Gabonese people be granted, even if Gabon no longer has all its chances in hand."
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Mauritania and Gabon have met four times across all competitions.
The two teams have recorded one win each, while two matches have ended in stalemates.
Their last meeting ended in a 0-0 draw in June 2022 in a 2023 Afcon qualifier played in Gabon.
