Preview: Mauritania vs. Algeria - prediction, team news, lineups

While the Lions of Chinguetti aim to qualify as one of the best third-placed sides, the North African heavyweight will see this as a must-win fixture as they seek to avoid a second consecutive group-stage exit.

Match preview

Mauritania are on the brink of yet another group-stage exit from the Africa Cup of Nations as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Angola when the two nations squared off on Saturday.

Despite efforts from Sidi Amar Bouna and Aboubakary Koita, a brace from Gelson Dala and Gilberto's 53rd-minute strike saw Angola move top of the group and extend Mauritania's dire AFCON record.

This followed a 1-0 loss against Burkina Faso in their group curtain-raiser on January 16, when Aston Villa man Bertrand Traore netted a stoppage-time penalty to hand the Stallions a dream start to the tournament.

Mauritania have now failed to taste victory in any of their eight matches at the Africa Cup of Nations, claiming two draws and losing six — including five consecutive defeats in their last five outings.

Amir Abdou's men have also gone seven straight AFCON matches without finding the back of the net, a run stretching back to their debut game in June 2019, when they lost 4-1 against Mali.

The Lions of Chinguetti, who are 105th in the FIFA World Rankings, head into Tuesday's Group D finale as one of just three sides yet to pick up any points after two rounds of group matches, alongside Guinea-Bissau and Gambia.

Mauritania cannot secure automatic qualification to the knockout stages, but victory on Tuesday could see the progress to the next phase of the tournament as one of the best third-placed nations.

However, their chances appear bleak given their -2 goal difference and a poor record against Tuesday's opponents, who are unbeaten in each of their previous six meetings, claiming five wins and one draw since March 1985.

Having suffered a group-stage exit in Cameroon two years ago, Algeria find themselves in familiar territory and under pressure to avoid back-to-back group-stage exits for the first time in history.

Tipped as favourites to secure top spot in Group D, Djamel Belmadi's side kicked off their quest for a third AFCON title on January 15 when they were held to a somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw by Angola.

Algeria needed a brace from Al-Sadd striker Baghdad Bounedjah, including a 95th-minute equaliser, to salvage a 2-2 draw against Burkina Faso in their second group outing on Saturday.

Having crashed out of the tournament without a win in 2021, the Desert Warriors have now gone five AFCON matches on the trot without a win, losing twice and claiming three draws.

Algeria's last victory at the continental showpiece came in the final back in 2019, when Bounedjah's early strike inspired them to a 1-0 win over Senegal at the Cairo International Stadium.

Having picked up two points from the first six available, the North Africans, who are now unbeaten in their last 14 matches across all competitions, head into Tuesday's crunch tie knowing that victory will ensure passage to the knockout stages, given Angola's negative goal difference.

Algeria will be backing themselves to get the desired results at the Peace of Bouake Stadium as they take on a Mauritania side who have failed to win their last six matches in all competitions, losing four and picking up two draws since a 2-1 friendly victory over Madagascar in October.

Mauritania Africa Cup of Nations form:

L

L

Mauritania form (all competitions):

L

L

D

D

L

L

Algeria Africa Cup of Nations form:

D

D

Algeria form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

D

D

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Team News

Despite being forced off with a 28th-minute injury in the group opener against Burkina Faso, Aboubakar Kamara was passed fit for a substitute appearance against Angola on Saturday and we expect the former Fulham man to return to the XI.

He should be joined in the Lions of Chinguetti's attack by 25-year-old forward Bouna and Sint-Truidense man Koita, while we expect a midfield trio of Omare Gassama, Guessouma Fofana and 29-year-old Bodda Mouhsine.

At the defensive end of the pitch, Abdou should name an unchanged back four of Ibrahima Keita, Nouh Mohamed El Abd, Lamine Ba and skipper Aly Abeid shielding Guingamp goalkeeper Babacar Niasse between the sticks.

Bounedjah has single-handedly carried the weight of Algeria's scoring responsibilities at the AFCON and we expect the 32-year-old to spearhead the Desert Warriors' attack once again.

Not only has Bounedjah scored each of Algeria's three goals at the tournament, but the Al-Sadd striker now has 16 goal involvements in his last 15 matches for club and country.

Former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez has had an uncharacteristically quiet tournament, but with 31 international goals, which ranks him third in the nation's all-time scoring list, the 32-year-old will be one to keep an eye on.

Mauritania possible starting lineup:

Niasse; Keita, El Abd, Ba, Abeid; Gassama, Fofana, Mouhsine; Kamara, Bouna, Koita

Algeria possible starting lineup:

Mandrea; Atal, Bensebaini, Mandi, Ait-Nouri; Feghouli, Bentaleb, Zerrouki; Belaili, Mahrez, Bounedjah

We say: Mauritania 0-2 Algeria

Following a disappointing first two games, Algeria will head into Tuesday's tie looking to pick up a statement result. Given the gulf in quality and experience between the two sides, we are backing the Desert Foxes to claim a comfortable victory and extend their dominance over Mauritania.

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