Mauritania gave Botswana an early scare with an inspired start. Koita silenced the Botswana fans in the 7th minute, latching onto a precise pass to give Mauritania a 1-0 lead. The early strike rattled Botswana, but they quickly regrouped and showed their resilience.
Botswana’s response came in the 18th minute, with their persistence paying off as they equalized. A well-orchestrated move saw Baruti slot home the ball to make it 1-1, sparking hope for the home side.
The remainder of the first half was a tense affair, with both sides probing for the lead but failing to find the back of the net. The defensive lines held firm, and the first half ended with no further goals.
The second half resumed with the same intensity. Both teams fought tooth and nail, creating chances but struggling to convert them into goals. The goalkeepers, Phoko for Botswana and Niase for Mauritania, were at their best, thwarting every attempt that came their way.
Despite their best efforts, neither side could find the decisive goal, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. The result means Botswana will have to wait until their final match to determine their fate in the competition.
Starting Lineups
Botswana:
Phoko; Velaphi, Gaolaolwe, Dithokwe, Johnson; Sesinyi, Mohutsiwa, Modingwane; Baruti, Seakanyeng, Orebonye
Mauritania:
Niase; El Abd, Houbeib, Ba, Abeid; Amar, Bodda, Koita, Ngom, Yade; Ibnou Ba
