TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON: Mauritania edge fellow debutants Namibia in nine goal thriller
Published:
The Mourabitones of Mauritania marked their first ever TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON match with a scintillating 5-4 victory over Namibia in Group B.
The two newcomers put up a show at the magnificent Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall on Friday night at the ongoing seventh edition of the tournament.
The west Africans had a nervous finish to the match as Namibia staged a late fight back to score four goals in the second half.
Abdallah Selami's team got off to a great start when captain Abderhemane Bouhoumadi headed in the opener from close range.
The goal rattled the Brave 5 of Namibia and it allowed Mauritania to move forward and create more chances.
Dioncounda Sow saw his efforts agonizingly missed the target on three occasions.
The Torcy Futsal ace forced a smart one hand save from Usurua Riya with just six minutes on the clock before hitting the woodwork and firing over the goal.
Yakhouba Sylla scored twice in a minute to extend Mauritania's advantage and send their fans into wild celebrations.
The France based star who was named the Man of the Match scored his first with cool finish from close range after his initial effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.
Sylla made it 3-0 right after the restart when he arrived late at the back post to slot in Dioncounda Sow’s low cross seven minutes before halftime.
Moudery Drame scored with a lowe drive on 18 minutes to hand Mauritania a comfortable 4-0 halftime advantage.
M’hamed M’hamed turned home captain Abderhemane Bouhoumadi’s cross to score the Mourabitones’ fifth of the night.
The Brave 5 pulled a goal back courtesy of captain Ken Salote’s fierce drive from distance to beat Imam Saff in the Mauritania goal.
Remario Mathys slotted in the second for Ryan Jawo’s team ten minutes from time. The diminutive star wriggled away from his marker before hammering his effort past Imam.
The Namibians continued to pile more pressure on Mauritania who locked nervous in defense and were forced to concede two more goals from George Haikali and Ken Salote.
Jago’s team came close to scoring a fifth and force a draw but Clive Willemse’s effort canoed off the post in the last minute of the brushing match.
The Mourabitones held on to win it 5-4 and join Egypt who earlier beat Libya 4-0 with three points.
