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ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast. — Ryan Mendes scored a late penalty for Cape Verde to make Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after edging Mauritania 1-0 last night.
Cape Verde surprisingly won a group that included heavyweights Ghana and Egypt. Mendes scored from the spot in the 88th minute after Mauritania goalkeeper Babacar Niasse brought down substitute Gilson Benchimol, who was through on goal after a defensive mistake.
It was Mauritania’s first ever Africa Cup game in the knock-out stage. The Lions of Chinguetti defeated Algeria 1-0 last week for their first ever win on their third appearance in the tournament. Cape Verde made a better start but failed to really trouble Niasse. Roberto “Pico” Lopes marshalled the Blue Sharks’ back four and produced an important tackle to stop Sidi Bouna Amar with Mauritania’s best chance of the first half in the 42nd — Wires.
Online Reporter