As the CAF African Nations Championship CHAN tournament nears its opening game, various coaches are plotting their route to glory. While some are attempting to affirm the status at the top, others are looking to assert themselves on the continental stage. Mauritania
Mauritanian head coach Aritz Lpez Garai is out to make the west African nation proud.
Les Mourabitounes shocked the continent in the tournaments last edition, advancing past the group stage for the first time in their third appearance in the competition and could emerge as dark horses once again.
Garai, who is participating in his first major continental tournament in Africa, is out to prove that Mauritanias last CHAN campaign was no fluke. Les Mourabitounes will have a tough path to the quarterfinals, facing Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Madagascar and hosts Tanzania.
I think the draw is a difficult one. Having one of the host nations in our group makes things even more complex. We respect all our opponents, but we hope to qualify for the next round of the competition, said Garai, speaking to CAFOnline.com .