At the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Tanzania, Mauritania secured a 1-0 win over Central African Republic in their third match of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN). The decisive goal came early, courtesy of Ahmed El Moctar, who struck in the first half to earn his side three vital points.

Early Goal Sets the Tone

The only goal of the match arrived in the 9th minute when Ahmed El Moctar capitalized on a precise pass and beat the opposing goalkeeper with a composed finish. That early strike forced the home side to take the initiative, while Mauritania dropped deep to protect their lead with disciplined defending.

Defensive Control and Unrewarded Pressure

From that moment, Central African Republic dominated possession, circulating the ball and pushing forward in search of an equalizer. However, their lack of cutting edge in front of goal proved costly, as Mauritania held firm and preserved the clean sheet until the final whistle.

Immediate Impact on the Standings

With this result, Mauritania climbs up the Group B standings, keeping realistic hopes of progressing to the next stage. Meanwhile, Central African Republic remains without points and will need an urgent victory in the final group match to stay alive in the tournament.

This win marks a significant step for the Desert Warriors, not only keeping them in contention but also boosting their confidence for the decisive fixtures ahead. On the other hand, Central African Republic must regroup and improve if they want to change their fate and control their destiny in the last round.