Both opening matches in Group I of 2023 AFCON qualifying took place Saturday evening with Mauritania and Gabon coming out victorious. Gabon stunned group favorites DR Congo 1-0 on the road with a 23rd minute goal from Shavy Babicka for his first international goal while Mauritania dominated Sudan by a 3-0 score in Nouakchott. Aboubakar Kamara scored twice in the first half before Abdallahi Mahmoud finished the scoring in the second half.
Mauritania will look to build on their opening match success but will have to travel to Gabon for their second fixture. Sudan will hope to capitalized on their infamous home advantage next match as DR Congo travels to meet them in Omdurman with the pressure building on the Leopards following their surprise home defeat.
Video from both of Saturday’s matches are below.
DR Congo 0-1 Gabon
Mauritania 3-0 Sudan
