Mauritania's AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Squad: Experienced Core Named for CAR and Benin Tests
Photo: CAF
Mauritania have named a 27-man squad, led by Amir Abdou, for opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Central African Republic and Benin.
Mauritania have named a 27-man squad for their opening Group F qualifiers, beginning at home to Central African Republic on 24 September before travelling to face Benin five days later — a demanding five-day turnaround that offers little margin for a slow start.
Coach Amir Abdou has built his squad — three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, eight forwards — around several of the Mourabitounes' established internationals.
Koita leads the attack
Aboubakary Koita remains one of Mauritania's main attacking threats, joined by Djeidi Gassama, Papa Ndiaga Yade, Mamadou Diallo and Idrissa Thiam, with Hemeya Tanji, Ahmed Salem M'Bareck and Dawda Camara adding further depth up front.
A settled spine
Goalkeeper Babacar Niasse is joined by Mamadou Diop and Babacar Diop as the three options between the posts. In defence, Lamine Ba, Jordan Lefort and Ali Abeid provide the experience, backed by Demine Saleck, Med Ali Diadié, Nouh Med El Abd, Ibrahima Keita, Khadim Diaw and Baila Diallo.
Midfielders Mohsine Bodda and Abdalahi Mahmoud have become regular fixtures for the national team, joined by Oumar Ngom, Yacoub Sidi, Bahmed Deuff, Mamadou Fofana and Abdoullah Ba.
Two matches, five days, high stakes
With Burkina Faso and Benin also chasing points in the same group, Mauritania's opening double-header carries real weight. A strong start at home against CAR followed by a positive result away to Benin would put Abdou's side in a genuinely strong position heading into November's matchdays.
Full Mauritania squad
Goalkeepers: Babacar Niasse, Mamadou Diop, Babacar Diop
Defenders: Lamine Ba, Jordan Lefort, Demine Saleck, Med Ali Diadié, Nouh Med El Abd, Ibrahima Keita, Ali Abeid, Khadim Diaw, Baila Diallo
Midfielders: Oumar Ngom, Abdalahi Mahmoud, Yacoub Sidi, Bahmed Deuff, Mohsine Bodda, Mamadou Fofana, Abdoullah Ba
Forwards: Aboubakary Koita, Djeidi Gassama, Papa Ndiaga Yade, Mamadou Diallo, Idrissa Thiam, Hemeya Tanji, Ahmed Salem M'Bareck, Dawda Camara
Following Group F to East Africa
Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Benin and Central African Republic are all chasing the same two qualification places. If your team gets there, the Cantravu Experience Card is the simplest way to fund your PAMOJA 2027 trip across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Squad information sourced from CAF's official announcement, 16 September 2026.
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