Mauritania host DR Congo at the Nouadhibou Municipal Stadium in Nouadhibou on Tuesday for their clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Ranked 109th in the world, the Lions of Chinguetti haven't won a single game in five outings so far, collecting only two points to sit second from bottom in Group B.
They are ahead of sixth-placed South Sudan only by virtue of goal difference.
The West African side earned just their second point of the campaign earlier this week after holding Togo in a 2-2 stalemate. Quickfire goals from Aboubakary Koita and Abdallahi Mahmoud in the 52nd and 55th minutes canceled out Thibault Klidje's fourth-minute opener for the Sparrowhawks.
However, Ahoueke Denkey pegged Mauritania back with a second goal in the 69th minute, denying them their first win of the qualifiers.
On the other hand, DR Congo are in second place in the group table with 10 points in five games. Their campaign received a major boost after back-to-back wins over Togo and South Sudan, a pair of 1-0 victories thanks to Meschak Elia and Theo Bongonda's strikes respectively.
Ranked 61st in the world, the Leopards are currently heading into the next round of the qualifiers as things stand. But given that they are just one point off leaders Sudan, things could still change in the run-in.
The Leopards have hit a green patch following a stop-start run earlier in their campaign. A stoic defense means opponents lately have struggled to score against them, and Mauritania won't have it any easier.
The West African side have failed to win a single qualifying match and do not seem to be in a position to change that here.
Prediction: Mauritania 1-2 DR Congo
Tip 1 - Result: DR Congo to win
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes