Mauritania must do without suspended goalkeeper Babacar Niasse and Spanish based left wing Idrissa Thiam for this month’s key Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan, which is being played in neutral Morocco.
Niasse was a central figure in the controversial red card for Cédric Bakambu of the Democratic Republic of Congo in their last Group I qualifier in March in Noukachott.
Bakumbu was sent off early in the 1-1 draw although TV replays showed he made no contact with Niasse in the challenege that lead to his dismissal. It was a decision that saw the DR Congo appeal the result to CAF but have it rejected on the basis that the referee’s word is final.
Niasse was also booked in that match and sits out a one match suspension while Thiam serves the second game of his two-match ban after a red card received against the Congolese in Lubumbashi in their first encounter in march.
Mauritania will now be taking on Sudan in Agadir, Morocco on June 20 because of the civil conflict in Sudan with the standings in the group still tight.
Gabon lead with seven points after four games with Sudan on six, Mauritania on five and DR Congo four points.
Mauritania coach Amir Abdou has picked 26 players for the match but left out
central defender Bakary Ndiaye, who is based in Iraq at Al Hudood.
Nidaye was in Mauritania’s squad when they qualified for their first ever Cup of Nations finals in Egypt in2019 but has not been called up since the Arab Cup in Qatar at the end of 2021. Frustrated, the 24-year-old has announced his international retirement on social media.
“I wish to announce my international retirement. I was very happy with these beautiful years when I played with my heart, I did everything for the national team jersey, I thank the public my family the players and the staff, thank you very much for all these beautiful moments,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Namori Diaw (FC Tevragh-Zeina), Mbacke Ndiaye (Nouakchott Kings), Abderrahmane Sarr (ASAC Concorde)
Defenders: Aly Abeid (FC UTA Arad, Romania), Lamine Ba (NK Varazdin, Croatia), Lassana Diakhaby (Martigues, France), Khadim Diaw (Horoya, Guinea), Nouh Med El Abd (FC Nouadhibou), El Hassen Houeibib (Al Zawraa, Iraq), Ibrahima Keita, Demine Saleck (both FC Nouadhibou), Abdoulkader Thiam (Cholet, France)
Midfielders: Mouhsine Bodda (FC Nouadhibou), Bakari Camara (Paris 13 Atletico, France), El Hacen El Id (Lugo, Spain), Guessouma Fofana (Nimes, France), Omare Gassama (Sedan), Abdallahi Mahmoud (NK Istra, Croatia), Almike Moussa (Hyeres FC, France), Mohamed Soueid (Al Hudood, Iraq)
Forwards: Souleymane Anne (Excelsior Virton, Belgium), Pape Ibnou Ba (Pau, France), Souleymane Doukara (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Aboubakar Kamara (Aris Salonika, Greece), Hemeya Tanji (FC Nouadhibou), El Mamy Tetah (FK Arda, Bulgaria).