Amir Abdou: Mauritania Coach Warns Neighbours Senegal Ahead of World Cup Qualifier Clash

• Mauritania will face Senegal in the World Cup qualifiers next month
• Coach Amir Abdou believes his side can beat the former champions
• Senegal have launched their camp ahead of the crucial ties in June

Mauritania head coach, Amir Abdou, is beaming with confidence ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Senegal next month.

The AFCON 2023 quarter-finalists will first face Sudan on Thursday, June 6 before engaging neighbours, Senegal, three days later in Dakar.

Mauritania heads into the game with high hopes after holding World Cup semi-finalists, Morocco, to a goalless draw in an international friendly in March.

According to Abdou, he is unfazed by the pedigree of Senegal in African football and believes derbies are won on the pitch.

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"We faced Morocco, a team ranked 10th in the world, as well as Mali, who reached an advanced stage in the last Africa Cup of Nations. These calibres should not be underestimated," he said, as quoted by WiwSport.

Although they will face Senegal in the second game of the international window, Abdou hopes for a positive result against Sudan at home before the trip to Dakar.

"We have already met several times with the staff to analyse our opponents. We must not underestimate Sudan, who started well with two good results against Togo and Congo, and who will be our first opponent. If we are not ready against Sudan, we could approach the match against Senegal with apprehension," he added.

Mauritania reached the Round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast after beating 2019 champions, Algeria, in a game that saw the minnows make history on the continental stage.

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Abdou extended his deal as coach of Mauritania after the tournament despite interest from the Ghanaian Football Association, as reported by King Fut.

"We all know that Senegal is a great nation, and it will be a benchmark match like the ones we played against Morocco and Algeria. We can be a match for this adversary. We know it will be a derby... It’s a question of balance of power," concluded the French-Comorian coach.

Senegal opens camp ahead of qualifiers

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Senegal have started camping ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against DR Congo and Mauritania in June.

A squad of 19 players so far, including Chelsea star, Nicolas Jackson, reported for early preparations ahead of the two matches next month.

Meanwhile, Saudi-based stars, Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mane, are expected to report this week due to the league having ended later.