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| Coach Aritz López Garai leads a training session ahead of CHAN 2024. © CAFOnline |
With just four days to kickoff, Mauritania’s coach Aritz
López Garai says the team is training with clear intent and hopes to make the
nation proud as they enter their fourth CHAN appearance in East Africa.
Zig Diaries Sports
Date: Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Time: 12:00 WAT
Location: Nouakchott, Mauritania
The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) kicks off this Friday, 2 August, in East Africa — with Mauritania aiming to build on their quarter-final finish from the last edition.
Mauritania head coach Aritz López Garai says the local national team is ready to carry the hopes of the nation at the upcoming TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, set to take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from 2 to 30 August 2025.
The Spanish-born coach, who is leading Mauritania into his
first continental tournament on African soil, told CAFOnline.com that the Mourabitounes
are preparing with "daily commitment and intensity," as they face a
difficult assignment in Group B.
“Our
main goal is to make the Mauritanian people and football authorities proud,”
Garai said. “We want them to see a competitive team with a clear identity.”
Mauritania
are drawn in a group that includes host nation Tanzania,
as well as Burkina Faso, Madagascar, and the Central African Republic. Their last CHAN outing in Algeria (2022) saw them reach the quarter-finals, a performance Garai admits provides
motivation — and caution.
“Last
time we were in a three-team group. Now we’ll play four very tough games. The
format and intensity have changed,” he noted.
Garai
also pointed to their impressive qualifier win over Mali
as evidence of the team’s potential. Despite the disappointment of missing out
on AFCON 2025, the coach says CHAN
offers a unique opportunity to restore national football pride.
“I
feel honoured to represent Mauritania. I see the hunger and belief in the
players every day,” he said.
The
43-year-old former La Liga midfielder took over the team earlier this year and
says he's approaching the tournament with calm
focus and a deep sense of responsibility.
His vision? A Mauritanian side that holds its own against Africa’s best — and
earns respect in the process.
🏷️ Tags: Mauritania, CHAN 2024, Aritz López Garai, African Football, TotalEnergies, CAF, Sports News, Zig Diaries
#CHAN2024 #MauritaniaFootball #ZigSports #Garai #EastAfrica2025 #AfricanFootball
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