Mauritania will take on Algeria in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Group D match at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on Tuesday.
Kick-off is at 10pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).
CURRENT FORM
The Lions of Chinguetti are placed at the bottom of Group D having suffered a 3-2 defeat to Angola on 20 January and Mauritania's hopes of reaching the Round of 16 are looking slim.
The defeat to the Palancas Negras extended Mauritania's winless run to six matches across all competitions having recorded two draws and four defeats.
Meanwhile, Algeria drew 2-2 with Burkina Faso on 20 January which sees them placed third on the Group D standings and their ambitions of reaching the Round of 16 are very much alive.
The draw against Stallions extended the Desert Foxes' unbeaten run to 14 matches across all competitions having registered five draws and nine victories.
TEAM NEWS
There are no suspension concerns for either team and they are yet to report injuries in their camps.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Mauritania head coach Amir Abdou:
“We are not here to distribute points. We will prepare for Algeria. I respect the Algerian team, it is a very good team, our objective is to put in a good performance," Abdou said.
"We will hang on to get a good result...we must continue to move forward...."
Algeria head coach Djamel Belmadi:
“I have observed the mistakes we made and will use it to better our last group match," Belmadi said.
"We could have been disappointed and nervous but we made sure we came to the second game with a better mindset. I’m sure with these players we will get far in this competition.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sidi Bouna Amar, Mauritania: The Nouadhibou attacking midfielder produced a decent performance against Angola and he will pose a threat to Algeria with his goalscoring ability having netted against Palancas Negras.
Baghdad Bounedjah, Algeria: The Al Sadd striker is a reliable goalscorer for the Desert Foxes having netted three goals in two Group D matches and he will be determined to add to his tally when he faces Mauritania.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The two teams have met six times across all competitions. Algeria boast an unbeaten record against Mauritania having registered five wins and one draw.
The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 4-1 win in favour of Algeria in a friendly match played in Blida in June 2021.