Gelson Dala netted two goals as Angola secured a victory over Mauritania, bringing them closer to advancing to the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Forward Dala displayed quick reflexes to lcapitalize on the corner’s rebound, propelling his team into the lead by directing a shot against the turf and into the top of the net.
Sidi Amar later equalized for the Lions of Chinguetti with an impressive run and finish just two minutes before halftime.
Dala and Gilberto added to the scoreline, making it 3-1, before Aboubakary Koita secured a spectacular consolation goal for Mauritania.
With the outcome, Angola is assured of progressing with a single point in their upcoming match against Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso, also holding four points, secured a 2-2 draw with Algeria earlier on Saturday. The leaders are scheduled to face each other in their final group-stage game on Tuesday at 20:00 GMT.
Dala double decorates unexpected thriller
Scarcely anyone would have predicted a spectacle featuring five goals and abundant entertainment between these teams. Mauritania had failed to score in their previous six matches spanning three Afcon finals, while Angola had only found the net seven times in 10 group-stage matches since the 2010 tournament.
The prior goalless encounter at the 2019 Afcon finals, with just one shot on target, marked the lowest tally in that regard for any match in the last three tournaments. However, any concerns of a dull contest were swiftly dispelled in this encounter.
After both teams came close to scoring early on, the goalkeepers were pressed into action when Mabululu’s low effort for Angola was pushed behind by Babacar Niasse, and Pape Ibnou Ba almost gave Mauritania the lead, only for Neblu to make a vigilant save.
Dala’s opener provided his side with the lead for 13 minutes, but Amar skillfully maneuvered through defenders in the penalty area to deliver an emphatic response.
In first-half added time, Gilberto had a golden opportunity to restore Angola’s lead when Niasse’s parry from Dala’s attempt fell favorably for the midfielder. However, he was left with a look of disbelief on his face after sending the ball over the crossbar.
The Palancas had endured a winless streak of nine Afcon games dating back to 2012. However, Dala and Gilberto quickly set them on a course to break that drought, scoring two goals within four minutes after the halftime break.
Dala concluded a splendid run by skillfully steering the ball into the net, while Gilberto added the finishing touch to a sequence of Angola’s trickery inside the box. He cut inside and arrowed in their third goal, taking advantage of Lamine Ba’s attempted block.
Despite remaining without a win in all eight Afcon games they have played, Mauritania, ranked 105th in the world, can take pride in one of the most visually striking goals of the tournament, courtesy of Koita’s magnificent thunderbolt from outside the penalty area.
Their chances of advancing hinge on a victory against The Greens in their decisive match, scheduled at the same time as the other group game. After a 1-0 defeat to Burkina Faso in their opener, they must then aim to finish as one of the four best third-placed teams, relying on results in the Ivory Coast group.