FIFA Arab Cup: Mauritania eliminated by Kuwait

Qualifying for the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup got underway on Tuesday with Mauritania losing 0-2 to Kuwait in the opening match.

The matched played in Al Rayyan, Qatar got off to a quick start but positive signs turned into a nightmare start for the West African side. With almost five minutes gone, Mauritania almost scored when Sidi Bouna Amar cut inside from the right wing but the Libya-based attacker fired his low shot just wide of the goal.

Soon after, Kuwait asserted their superiority on the match. In the 8th minute, a well coordinated attack down the right win created space for Rashed Al Dosary. The right back’s cross took a deflection high into the air and Mohammed Daham’s header just went over the goal line before Mauritania goalkeeper Babacar Diop could push the ball away.

The African representatives came close to finding the goal after a quarter of an hour when Mamadou Sy got behind the defense but his show was well saved. Soon after, the frustration continued to build when Kuwait doubled their advantage in the 24th minute. Daham received a throw-in on the left wing and his hard cross took a deflection off AS FAR Rabat defender Nouh El Abd and flew past Diop.

Mauritania never recovered from the poor start. The match became more chippy and the African team saw a goal disallowed early in the second half when Moctar El Hacen’s header was overturned due offsides by the VAR.

Kuwait held on until the full time whistle arrived to qualify for the finals of the Arab Cup, which will begin on December 1 in Qatar. Later on Tuesday, Libya will take on Palestine and South Sudan will clash with Syria to decide two more places at the tournament finals.

⚽ Follow Pan-Africa Football across platforms for real-time news and stories.