TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON: Selami admits Mauritania must improve after Namibia scare
The head coach of Mauritania Abdallah Selami says the Mourabitounes must improve after they conceded four goals against Namibia in Group B of the TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON in Morocco.
Mauritania opened their account with a 5-4 victory over fellow debutants Namibia at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall. Selima saw his side struggle against the Brave 5 who came from 5-0 down to four times and forced a nervous finale.
"We must improve and prepare because we didn't know much about Namibia and we took the risk to win the match," said the fromer Morocco coach. "It wasn't easy for us even if we were leading in the first half by four goals."
The Mourabitounes outplaced Namibia in the first half scoring four goals but failed to keep the momentum in the second half despite adding a fifth goal.
"The lack of experience of the majority of the players and the pressure because it's their first participation in the TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON, it's the first time they are playing in such a game and that forced them to make some mistakes," Abdallah added.
"The way they played and their character played a part in the victory which wasn't easy to grab. The players lack experience and have some tactical habits with the exception of the players who played at the Arab Cup and those three professional players from France.
"My tactical advice was to attack and try to score and lead the match to be safe knowing that there was enough time for us to control the match. The lack of experience in the second half because I have seven players who are new in the team."
Ryan Jago the Namibia coach admitted his team failed to stick to their game plan in the first half which cost them.
"We expected a tough opposition and the Mauritania team were very good and tough and we were a little bit shell shocked in the first half. We didn't stick to the game plan and we looked a little bit faced by the opportunity," he said.
"The second half we showed a brilliant fight and showed what we have been working on and they stepped up to the game plan but unfortunately too many sloppy mistakes in the first half cost us.
"The advice in the second half was to stick to the game plan, that's what we have been working on. They weren't executing in the first half and as I said we looked a little faced by the experience. The second half they came out stocked to the plan and played really well and created lots of opportunities," he concluded.
Namibia have a difficult second match against highflying Egypt on Sunday while Mauritania will battle against Libya in the late kick off at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall in Rabat.