2-3: Angola beat Mauritania with good goals and take the lead

Angola beat Mauritania (2-3) on Saturday in Bouaké (Ivory Coast) and lead Group D of the African Cup with 4 points. Burkina Faso, until now first in the table, previously drew against Algeria (2-2) and also has 4 points after two days of play.

Both teams are also tied on goal difference (+1) and Angola is first for having fewer points (4 to 3). Algeria has two points and Mauritania, who have none, closed the group after two defeats.

Gelson Dala, hero

A double from Gelson Dala, striker for Qatari Al Wakrah, bringing Angola closer to the round of 16 in a match full of high-quality goals. ‘The black levers’ dominated the opening minutes and deservedly got on the scoreboard in the 30th minute with Gelson Dala’s acrobatic shot which, after bouncing off the grass, found its way into the net.

Mauritania equalized two minutes before half-time then a wonderful individual play by Bouna Amar, who beat five Angolan defenders before finishing with his left foot.

At the start of the second half Angola scored two goals in just three minutes and put victory on course. Gelson Dala wants to emulate Bouna, He took the ball near the halfway line, accelerated and, despite the Mauritanian defense trying to stop him, ended up scoring the ball from a difficult angle (50′).

Gilberto immediately scored from a tighter angle after stealing the ball, he entered the baseline and scored at the near post (53′).

It didn’t take long for Mauritania to respond another great individual play by Koitawho also started from the halfway line and ended his gallop with a shot from outside the area (58′).

There were chances for both teams to score more goals but the score did not change until the end of an exciting match.

Everyone has options

Angola face Burkina Faso on Tuesday on the final day of the group, while Algeria play Mauritania. All four will have a chance to advance to the round of 16.