Arjun Menon
Two African nations meet at Brann Stadion in Bergen, Norway, on June 8 in what is a low-stakes but tactically telling International Friendly. Neither Niger nor Mauritania have won a match in 2026, and both sides drew their most recent outings, which makes this a contest built on defensive caution rather than attacking ambition. The interesting angle here is that Mauritania, ranked as the slight bookmaker favourite, have not recorded a single win in their last two matches and lost to Argentina just days before this fixture, meaning their squad arrives with some confidence questions heading into Bergen.
Mauritania’s attacking midfielder Souleymane Anne, when fit, is the creative engine Aritz López Garai’s side relies on to break down organized defences. For Niger, forward Moussa Maazou remains the focal point under coach Badou Zaki, a player capable of finishing the rare chance Niger create from their structured 4-2-3-1 shape. Hot stat: Niger have gone winless in their last three matches in 2026, but they have also kept the scoreline tight, conceding just two goals across those three games, which signals a defensively disciplined unit that is hard to break down.
| 🏆 Tournament: | International Friendly 2026, June Phase |
| 🏟 Venue: | Brann Stadion, Bergen, Norway |
| 🗓️ Date: | 08.06.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 21:00 CEST |
Niger vs Mauritania Prediction
The draw is the most logical outcome here. Both teams are winless in 2026, both drew their last match, and neither has shown the attacking consistency needed to win a fixture at this level. Niger’s 4-2-3-1 tends to compress the midfield and limit space, while Mauritania’s 4-3-3 is built for pressing rather than sustained possession play. When two sides with near-identical poor form meet in a neutral venue, the path of least resistance is a shared result.
We predict the match ends in a draw, with goals possible but not guaranteed on either side. Mauritania’s recent 1-2 defeat to Argentina showed they can score, but their defensive structure leaks at the back. Niger, to be honest, are not much more convincing in attack, averaging well under a goal per game in 2026. Expect few corners and a measured, foul-heavy midfield battle, with both sides committing to shape over flair.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Draw at Half-Time |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Under 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Under 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Niger arrive in Bergen with a form line that reads more draws and losses than wins across the past several months. Their 1-1 draw with Benin on June 4 was their most recent outing, a result that continued their 2026 winless run across three matches. Before that, they fell 0-1 to Togo and drew 0-0 with Libya, showing a team that defends in numbers but lacks the cutting edge to convert their limited attacking moments. Badou Zaki’s side has consistently lined up in a 4-2-3-1, prioritising defensive shape, and that pattern is unlikely to change against a Mauritanian side that will press high.
Mauritania drew 1-1 with Angola on June 4, their most recent match, after suffering a 1-2 defeat to Argentina in their previous fixture. That Argentina loss is the key data point: Mauritania showed they can create and score against high-quality opposition, but their backline was exposed. Earlier in the year, they fell 0-2 to Kuwait and 0-1 to Libya, confirming that defensive frailty is a recurring issue under Aritz López Garai. Their 4-3-3 setup generates decent width and pressing intensity, but without strong central defending, they remain vulnerable to set pieces and counter-attacks, which is exactly how Niger prefer to operate.
Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches
Direct head-to-head data between Niger and Mauritania is limited, but the standings confirm both sides are placed at 166th and 172nd respectively in the June International Friendly table, each with one draw from one match. Their comparable form and standing reinforce the case for a tight, low-scoring encounter.
| Statistic | Niger | Mauritania |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1 | 1 |
| Total shots | N/A | N/A |
| Free kicks | N/A | N/A |
| Corner kicks | N/A | N/A |
| Total fouls | N/A | N/A |
| Pass accuracy (%) | N/A | N/A |
| Interceptions | N/A | N/A |
| Offsides | N/A | N/A |
🚨Check out our dedicated Niger vs Mauritania stats page for more info.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Mauritania the Favourite
- Moneyline Niger 2.89 | Mauritania 2.65
- Draw 3.04
- Over/Under Over 2.5 N/A | Under 2.5 N/A
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes N/A | No N/A
The odds reflect a genuinely open match, with Mauritania only marginally favoured at 2.65 against Niger’s 2.89. The draw at 3.04 carries excellent value given the form of both sides. Bookmakers assign Mauritania a 36% implied probability of winning, Niger 33%, and the draw 30%, but those numbers are almost too balanced to reflect any meaningful edge for either team. We see the draw odds at 3.04 as the most attractive line on the board, given neither side has won in 2026 and both drew just days before this fixture.
Mauritania. Source: Official Facebook
Possible Starting Lineups
Niger Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Daouda Kassaly
- DF: Oumarou Dankwali, Issoufou Boubacar, Abdoul Aziz Djibo, Abdoul Razak Idrissa
- MF: Sidi Tidjani, Harouna Hamidou, Kader Keita, Abdoul Karim Illo
- FW: Moussa Maazou, Lamine Issoufou
Badou Zaki is expected to set Niger up in their familiar 4-2-3-1, with a double pivot protecting the backline and Moussa Maazou leading the attack. Maazou is the player to watch: experienced, physical, and capable of holding up play to bring others into the game. The wide players in the 4-2-3-1 will be key in transitioning quickly, as Niger’s best moments come on the counter. Player data is limited for this squad, so this lineup is based on known squad regulars and formation tendencies from the last five matches.
Mauritania Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Babacar Niasse
- DF: Abou Traoré, Lamine Coulibaly, Diafra Sakho, El Hadj Kébé
- MF: Souleymane Anne, Abdoul Ba, Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Dieng
- FW: Adama Ba, Ibrahima Koïta, Hemeya Tanjy
Aritz López Garai will likely persist with his 4-3-3, using wide forwards to stretch Niger’s defensive block. Ibrahima Koïta is Mauritania’s most dangerous attacker, with pace and directness that can trouble any backline on his day. Souleymane Anne in midfield provides the creativity to unlock compact defences. The three-man midfield should give Mauritania a numerical advantage in the centre, but their defensive exposure on the counter remains a concern against Niger’s direct forward play.
🏅Tips.GG premium subscription brings you even closer to WIN!🏅
- Gain access to the most profitable bets by using our analysis of over 60,000 monthly predictions from 1000+ sources.
- Premium users enjoy predictions from tipsters with the highest win rate while also gaining access to favorable odds, outcome calculation, and quick filter to favorable odds.
- Unlock the “Golden Bet” – our unique formula for the best high-odd betting opportunities! Get detailed reports on our system’s performance, including Winrate, ROI, and Yield.
Niger. Source: Official Facebook
TipsGG Match Prediction
Niger and Mauritania are two sides in near-identical form, both winless in 2026, both coming off draws in their last outings, and both set up to be difficult to beat rather than easy to watch. The Bergen neutral venue removes any home advantage factor entirely. Mauritania’s 4-3-3 will create more attacking intent, but Niger’s disciplined 4-2-3-1 block has conceded sparingly across three 2026 matches. We predict a 1-1 draw, with both teams finding the net once from limited opportunities. The draw at 3.04 is the standout value bet on this card, and Under 2.5 goals pairs well as a secondary selection given the cautious nature of both squads.
