Mauritania will be making their 4th appearance this year and their first back-to-back participation in the biennial tournament in this year’s championship, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania between 2nd and 30th August.
Mauritania hopes to improve on its 2022 quarterfinal finish as they bring a mix of youth and experience to CHAN 2024.
The team is anticipated to take a well-organised and dynamic stance, with a strong defensive unit and important players like El Hacen El Id spearheading the charge.
Since making its debut in South Africa in 2014, the team has steadily improved.
Qualification
Mauritania performed well in the qualifying rounds, earning their spot at CHAN 2024.
Mauritania, who were drawn against Mali in the second round, held their opponents to a 0-0 draw in Bamako after winning 1-0 in Nouakchott.
Coach: Aritz López Garai
In December 2023, Aritz Lopez Garai, a Spanish tactician, assumed leadership of the Mauritanian CHAN team.
López Garai, who has coached extensively in Spain and Mauritania, has already had an impact by leading FC Nouadhibou to both domestic victory and an unprecedented CAF Confederation Cup group-stage berth.
Before becoming a coach, López Garai was a player for Spanish teams including Sporting Gijón, Córdoba, and Celta Vigo.
He prioritises a proactive style of play that aims to overwhelm opponents and is well-known for his offensive and modern mindset.
Building on the groundwork established during Mauritania’s prior campaigns, López Garai hopes to guide Les Mourabitounes to a deeper run in CHAN 2024 as he enters his maiden national team tournament.
Key Player
Player to Watch: El Hacen El Id (FC Nouadhibou)
Midfielder El Hacen El Id brings a wealth of experience to Mauritania’s squad. A seasoned professional, El Id previously played for Spanish clubs such as Levante and Lugo, where he honed his skills.
Fact File
Nickname: Les Mourabitounes
Appearances: 4 (2014, 2018, 2022,2024)
Best Performance: Quarter-finals (2022)
Group B: Mauritania, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Madagascar
FIFA Ranking: 109
Catch All the 44 Matches live and excusively on KBC Channel 1.
