Afcon 2023: Mauritania out to make more history with boss ‘like Jose Mourinho’

Cape Verde have been a great example to Africa’s smaller nations, reaching the quarter-finals on their tournament debut in 2013 and the last 16 at the 2021 edition.

The Blue Sharks provided one of the stories of a hugely entertaining group stage in Ivory Coast, winning Group B ahead of former winners Ghana and record seven-time champions Egypt.

“It’s not a big team or a big country like Senegal, Algeria or Ivory Coast but they have done such a good job,” Ba says of their last-16 opponents.

“They play amazing football and have scored some great goals. We know it will be a tough match but we can do the job and reach the quarter-finals.”

Ba is a player with plenty of self-belief, which he credits to his time developing at PSG with the likes of Chelsea and France striker Christopher Nkunku.

“When you are at a big club like PSG, there is a different mentality,” the 26-year-old said.

“You start every season expecting to win every match, every trophy. You want everything. I didn’t end up winning a lot of trophies yet in my career, but I still have this mentality from PSG – like a coldness when I win matches.

“Even against Algeria, it was a great feeling but I am straight away thinking about the next game. For me, Afcon is a chance to show my ability and my mentality.

“If I tell you my goals you will think I am crazy but I want the maximum – to play in the Champions League, to show my qualities. I still know I can play at this level and can achieve something good for me and my family.”