Mauritania vs South Sudan Prediction & Betting Tips (9 September)

Mauritania will host South Sudan in a pivotal World Championship 2026 qualifier on September 9th at the Stade Olympique de Nouakchott. The Mourabitounes, under the guidance of Spanish coach Aritz Lopez Garai, are seeking to build on their recent 2-0 win over Togo, which marked their first victory in the qualifiers after a string of disappointing results. Garai, who replaced Amir Abdou last year, has yet to fully stabilize the squad, but the emergence of attacking talents like Aboubakary Koita and Abdallahi Mahmoud—both of whom have scored in recent fixtures—offers a glimmer of hope. Mauritania’s defensive line, anchored by Lamine Ba and Aly Abeid, has shown signs of resilience, conceding just once in their last two outings.

South Sudan, meanwhile, arrive in Nouakchott still searching for their first win in the campaign. Coach Nicolas Dupuis has struggled to find consistency, with the Bright Stars managing only three draws in seven matches. Their most recent outing—a 4-1 loss to DR Congo—exposed defensive frailties, although forward Tito Okello did manage to get on the scoresheet. The midfield pairing of Peter Chol and William Gama has shown flashes of creativity, but the team’s inability to convert chances remains a pressing concern. With veteran defenders Rashid Toha and Samuel Taban expected to start, South Sudan will need to tighten their backline to avoid another collapse.

Historically, Mauritania hold the upper hand, boasting a higher win rate and a more balanced squad. Their home form has been relatively solid, with 15 of their last 20 matches featuring under 2.5 goals—a testament to their disciplined approach. South Sudan, on the other hand, have struggled on the road, conceding an average of two goals per match. The tactical contrast between Garai’s structured build-up play and Dupuis’s more reactive style could define the rhythm of the match. With both teams desperate for points, expect a tense, low-scoring affair punctuated by moments of individual brilliance.

Given current form and squad dynamics, a 2-1 victory for Mauritania seems the most plausible outcome. Koita’s pace and finishing ability could prove decisive, while South Sudan may find a breakthrough via Okello’s physical presence up front. However, Mauritania’s midfield control and defensive organization should allow them to edge the contest. While South Sudan’s spirit is commendable, their lack of cutting edge and porous defense make them vulnerable against a Mauritanian side slowly finding its stride.

• Summary: Mauritania is going head to head with South Sudan starting on 9 Sept 2025 at 19:00 UTC at Stade Municipal, Nouadhibou stadium, Nouadhibou city, Mauritania. The match is a part of the FIFA World Cup, Qualification CAF, Group B .