Cape Verde Isl. v Mauritania Betting Tips [29 January 2024]

Cape Verde will be targeting a quarterfinal berth when they face Mauritania in their round of 16 encounter at the 2023 AFCON. The two, considered minnows, were some of the surprise teams to advance from their groups. Cape Verde topped a pool containing teams with a combined 11 AFCON titles – Egypt and Ghana. Wins over Mozambique and Ghana then drawing Egypt did it for the Blue Sharks. They will be hoping to avoid the fate they suffered in their last two AFCON knockout appearances. Cape Verde fell at this stage in 2013 and 2022. However, unlike in those editions, here they come as favorites, meeting Mauritania for the first time at AFCON. Their earlier two meetings with Mauritania in 2019 were not FIFA recognized matches, which Mauritania won 2-1 on aggregate. Coming here unbeaten in three matches, Cape Verde will have the feel of the favorites. They’ve lost just once in six matches, and they have three wins in five. In 14 AFCON matches, Cape Verde have managed four wins, giving them a bigger AFCON pedigree than Mauritania.

Mauritania are advancing to the round of 16 for the first time in their history. The fact that they weren’t tipped to leave their group tells all about the surprise package they are. To imagine they are contesting for a quarterfinal berth should be enough motivation for the Lions of Chinguetti. They are one of a rare kind; only the third team in AFCON history to advance after losing two group matches. Their magical point came in the 1-0 win over Algeria on Match Day 3 of the groups. That win saw them advance as one of the four best third placed teams. However, the task ahead seems even tougher, considering in nine AFCON matches, they managed just one win. Mauritania have six losses in their nine AFCON matches. In those nine matches, they failed to score in six.

Cape Verde are clearly the favorites here; being unbeaten at this competition so far and with three wins in the last five games. Mauritania lost twice in the group stages, while their run coming into this competition wasn’t great either. Advancing to this stage was a shock and here their luck will run out. Our prediction for Cape Verde v Mauritania is for Cape Verde to win.