Central African Republic v Mauritania, 5pm
The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam will be the stage for a tense survival battle when the Central African Republic meets Mauritania in their second Group B clash of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 on August 9. Both teams are yet to register a win, and with the group stage winding down, the stakes could not be higher.
For the Central African Republic, the mission is simple but daunting — win or face elimination. Coach Sébastien Ngato has made it clear that his side must correct the errors that led to their 4-2 defeat against Burkina Faso in their opener.
Determined to keep their hopes alive, Ngato described the upcoming game as a battle they cannot afford to lose. “If we don’t win, it’s game over. We’ve talked to the players, found solutions, and we’ll go all in,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of the moment.
Midfielder Ghislain Moguedi echoed his coach’s words, admitting that while they started well against Burkina Faso, costly mistakes proved their undoing. This time, he promised, the team will take the pitch with a winning mentality. “Losing the second match is not an option,” he said.
On the other side, Mauritania approaches the match with equal determination. With just a single point from two games, coach Artiz Garay Lopez knows that victory is the only way to keep their knockout stage hopes alive. Calling the match “do-or-die,” Lopez stressed that his side must be mentally sharp and physically ready. He acknowledged Tanzania as group favorites but insisted that second place — and qualification — remains within reach.
“This will be our final,” Lopez declared. “We have to stay calm, avoid rushing, and be disciplined. The Central African Republic is a solid team, but we must dictate the game.”
Mauritanian midfielder Mohamed Lemine Houboutt summed it up in straightforward terms: “Victory is our only objective. This match will decide our fate.”
With both sides desperate to avoid an early exit, Saturday’s encounter promises to deliver the intensity and drama of a true knockout clash, even before the tournament’s actual knockout stage begins.
