Mauritania and Angola could not be separated as they played to the first goalless draw at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations at New Suez Stadium on Saturday.

 

Angola dominated possession from the outset and throughout the game. It was a very dull first half, with only one shot on target between the sides.

 

In the 13th minute, Mauritania had the first opportunity when Bessam's right footed shot from outside the box was blocked after he was assisted by Mohamed Dellahi Yali.

 

Three minutes later, Angola had their first half-chance. Bruno Gaspar's delivery was headed narrowly wide of target by Djalma.

 

In the 24th minute, Gelson Dala released Djalma down the left with a through ball, but the Palancas Negras striker's shot from an acute angle was blocked.

 

Al-Murabitun had their next opening on the half-hour mark. Moctar Sidi El Hacen's header from the centre of the box was high and wide to the left after Bessam had provided the cross.

 

In the 39th minute, Khassa Camara's delivery was headed from the left side of the box towards goal by Bakary N'Diaye but it was blocked before it could get there.

 

Adama Ba got in to a promising position in the box but his right-footed attempt from outside the box was blocked.

 

On the hour mark, Ismail Diakite squared the ball in to the box for Ba, whose attempt from the centre of the box was once again blocked.

 

Three minutes later, the Angolans came the closest they had all game up to that point. Dala fed Wilson Eduardo, whose left footed shot from very close range went inches wide of the left-hand upright.

 

Some neat interplay in the 73rd minute got Palancas Negras high up the field before Aly Abeid played in Ba, whose right footed shot from the left side of the box was blocked once again by a resilient Mauritanian defence.

 

Mauritania had another opportunity in the 81st minute. Diakite passed to Abdoulaye Gaye just outside of the box, whose attempt went narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

 

Angolan substitute Geraldo then cut inside on to his favoured left foot on the right flank before delivering a beauty of a cross to the back post but it was a little to high for Eduardo, whose header sailed over the bar. In the end, neither side deserved to win as the game petered out to a bore draw.