Mauritania s national team coach, Amir Abdou (Photo: CAF)
The Chinguetti Lions qualify in Group C alongside Egypt, Cape Verde, and Botswana.
"The draw is quite challenging. Egypt will be the primary contender for qualification," Abdou stated in a report by CAF online after the draw.
"Their impressive track record speaks volumes. Being seven-time African champions is no small feat," he added.
Abdou further acknowledged the threat posed by Cape Verde, who eliminated Mauritania in the previous AFCON.
"Cape Verde boast of a team comprising several talented players," Abdou noted.
He also recognized Botswana's strong qualifying campaign for the World Cup.
"We have been placed in a highly competitive group. We must believe in ourselves. We will make every effort to secure our fourth participation in the AFCON," Abdou concluded.
The AFCON 2025 qualifiers feature 48 nations, including the four winners from the preliminary round (Chad, Eswatini, Liberia, and South Sudan).
These teams have been divided into 12 groups of four, each vying for berths in the finals.
The AFCON 2025 is scheduled to be held in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
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