Cape Verde Islands vs Mauritania Predictions

• Cape Verde have scored two or more goals in all three of their group games
• Mauritania have conceded two or more goals in three of their last five AFCON finals games
• Fit-again Bebe scored a 40-yard free-kick after hitting the woodwork from 30 yards on his last appearance for the Blue Sharks

Blue Sharks on the hunt for quarter-final berth

Cape Verde should progress to the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations at the expense of minnows Mauritania when the two nations meet in Monday’s last-16 encounter.

Bubista’s team finished top of Group B on seven points after sharing a 2-2 draw with Egypt in their final, dramatic game of the opening phase. They should be boosted by the return of centre forward Bebe on Monday as reports indicate a full squad have trained in preparation for this clash.

For so long the hunters, the Blue Sharks are now in uncharted waters as the hunted in this meeting with the team that are the longest-odds outsiders for the tournament.

Mauritania may still have their heads in the clouds

The Lions of Chinguetti who had never even led in a game at the Cup of Nations, let alone won, before they beat 2019 winners Algeria on Tuesday. But bringing his players down from cloud nine in time to focus on the task in hand could be very tough for coach Amir Abdou.

Mauritania’s defence was breached three times by Angola last week and a more potent side like Cape Verde, who are one of the best pressing teams in the competition, should get some goals.

Over 1.5 team goals for the Blue Sharks is well worth backing given they have hit at least two in all three of their group games with no reliance on one particular scorer.