CAN U-20 Kicks Off in Nouakchott

On 14 February, the Prime Minister, Mr. Mohamed Ould Bilal, kicked off the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (CAN U-20), from the office of the Olympic complex in Nouakchott. The first major continental tournament, organized in the country, will take place from 14 February to 4 March 2021 in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou.

The tournament brings together the teams of Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Gambia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The inaugural ceremony of this African sports competition began with folkloric presentations that reflected the richness and diversity of Mauritanian and African culture. The national anthems of Mauritania and Cameroon were also played during the ceremony.

The opening match took place between Mauritania and Cameroon. The teams are divided into three groups, the first of which includes Mauritania-Cameroon, Uganda, and Mozambique and plays at the office of the Nouakchott Olympic complex in Nouakchott.

Group 2 plays at the Cheikha Ould Bodiya stadium in Nouakchott and includes Burkina Faso, Tunisia, the Central African Republic, and Namibia.

Group 3 plays at the municipal stadium of Nouadhibou, and includes Morocco, Ghana, Gambia, and Tanzania.

The opening ceremony was attended by members of the government, the wali of Nouakchott West, the president of the Nouakchott region and many sports officials.