Cape Verde advanced to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after a late 1-0 victory over Mauritania on Monday evening.
The Blues Sharks made it to the last 16 after they topped the group that had Egypt and Ghana and qualified unbeaten.
The Lions of Chinguetti, meanwhile, reached Knockout phase for the first time after they stunned 2019 champions Algeria in their final group game and qualified as one of the best third-placed teams.
Cape Verde were on the front foot in the opening exchanges as ten minutes in, Ryan Mendes came close to giving them the lead with a strike from the edge of the box that missed narrowly wide.
However, the Blue Sharks held on to the ball for longer periods after that, with Mauritania content soaking up the pressure.
The Lions of Chinguetti grew in the game after the half-hour mark, as they advanced forward more often but they did not have the accuracy and power in front of goal, as the first stanza ended without goals.
Cape Verde had another bright start in the second stanza as within the first two minutes, Jovane had space on the edge of the box and fired a powerful shot that was saved by goalkeeper Babacar Niasse
Mauritania got into the game towards the hour-mark as Aboubakary Koita nearly broke the deadlock with a free-kick from the edge of the box that missed narrowly wide.
The Blue Sharks had the momentum in the closing stages as they pressurized the Lions of Chinguetti, who were pinned back in their own half.
Cape Verde were eventually awarded a penalty in the last three minutes from a foul in the box and Mendes fired home a spot-kick past the out-stretched arm of Niasse.
Mauritania had a fight in them with ten minutes of added time but they were not clinical in front of goal as the Blue Sharks advanced to the quarter-finals.
The island nation will face the winner between Morocco and Bafana Bafana in the quarter-finals.
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