Soccer-Cape Verde edge Mauritania to reach Cup of Nations last eight

Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations - Round of 16 - Cape Verde v Mauritania - Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory Coast - January 29, 2024 Cape Verde's Bebe celebrates with teammates and coaches after the match REUTERS/Luc Gnago

ABIDJAN (Reuters) -Cape Verde Islands captain Ryan Mendes converted a penalty two minutes from time to edge Mauritania 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash on Monday and see the smallest country at the 24-team tournament advance to the quarter-final.

Mendes, who was in the team when the Cape Verdians previously reached the last eight in 2013, blasted home the spot kick to hand the islanders a deserved triumph after they had dominated another fast and furious affair.