Mauritiana vs Angola Prediction: Both Group D outsiders to get on scoresheet in Bouake

Two of the lowest FIFA-ranked African nations at the 2023 AFCON meet in Bouake on Saturday evening (KO, 17:00), as Mauritania (105) take on Angola (117) at Stade de la Paix.

Angola pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the first round of fixtures as they held 2019 winners Algeria to a 1-1 draw, despite going a goal down in the first 20 minutes.

Mauritania, meanwhile, left their game with Burkina Faso empty-handed after a 1-0 defeat, but the Almoravids can take plenty of heart from a spirited showing that took them to within a whisker of a point before Bertrand Traore's 96th-minute penalty broke hearts.

The Northwest Africa nation will need to achieve a positive result in this one, though, if they harbour any hopes of advancing to the round of 16.

Team News

Aboubakar Kamara - formerly of Fulham - garnered huge talk online earlier in the week as Mauritania named him on their starting XI graphic as 'AK-27'. However, Kamara failed to get a shot away before being substituted midway through the first-half through injury.

The striker was replaced by Souleymane Anne, who will hope to earn a first start of the tournament if Kamara doesn't pull through.

There are also injury concerns over centre-back Lamine Ba, who was forced off in the second-half on Tuesday, with Yali Dellahi taking his place in the backline.

Angola were forced to make an early substitute of their own against Algeria, with Bruno Paz replaced by Mabululu minutes before half-time. The 34-year-old ended up being the hero from the penalty spot, so he will expect to start on Saturday.

Match Odds

Mauritania are 11/5 to win their first-ever game at AFCON, with the draw at 7/4 and a victory for Angola priced at 13/10.

The last three meetings between these sides has seen Both Team To Score - No land, and it's 8/13 for it to come in again in Bouake.

Both teams to score - Yes @ 6/5

Despite just one goal being scored across the last three matches between Mauritania and Angola, and the latter nation keeping five consecutive clean sheets heading into the 2023 AFCON, I'm going to go against the grain and suggest BTTS - Yes on Saturday.

Mauritania should be confident of troubling the Angola backline after registering four shots on target against Burkina Faso, and they definitely need to be looking to score and win ahead of a final day meeting with Algeria.

Angola, meanwhile, are the favourites to win, and should be taking the game to Mauritania if they are serious about progressing to the knockouts.

Aboubakary Koita to score anytime @ 18/5

With Kamara potentially out, the goalscoring burden is well and truly on the shoulders of Aboubakary Koita, who only opted to represent Mauritania last October.

The Senegal-born forward has had a brilliant start to the season at Sint-Truiden in Belgium's top-flight, scoring 11 times in 20 appearances.

Koita has taken that confidence to Ivory Coast and that was evident in his opening game display versus Burkina Faso, against whom he fired two shots on goal against. The second was a terrific effort from a free-kick at a narrow angle, and he should be emboldened by his efforts against the Stallions.

18/5 for Koita to find the net anytime looks a decent bet with Mauritania looking to score and achieve a positive result against their closest rivals in Group D.

Check out the rest of our AFCON Betting Tips here.