Fael was part of the Cape Verde victory

At one point in the second half police were called on to quell violence on the pitch as players and officials from Mauritania attacked the linesman.

The trouble started for the visitors near the end of the first half when Cabis was sent from the pitch for a second bookable offence.

While the two sides started the second half all square Cape Verde soon capitalised on their numerical advantage with Claudio Aguiar scoring direct from a corner kick soon after the break.

They (Mauritania) have to accept the rules Cape Verde coach Alexander Alhinho

Just minutes later the home side were awarded a controversial penalty, which sent the Mauritanian team into a frenzy.

Balal was the first to see red as he confronted the referee about the decision.

Players and officials then stormed the second referee, with one player reportedly biting the official. Police were called to calm the situation and during the melee the visitors had two more players sent from the pitch.

The match eventually resumed in farcical circumstances with Mauritania down to eight men.

Carlos Morais slotted the penalty, awarded before the on-field rucus and four minutes later netted his second after getting clear in the box and sending his winner past the dispairing keeper.

But the goal only sparked a rise in tensions again and with more than 25 minutes remaining the referee was forced to end the encounter as Gui also saw red for the beleagured Mauritanians.

Afterwards the Cape Verde coach Alexander Alhinho said he was appalled by the ugly scenes during the match.

"The match was not good. The Mauritanians did not have a positive attitude, they have to accept the rules," an angry Alhinho said.

"They do not know what fair play is."

Cape Verde must now beat leaders Kenya in the final group game if they are to qualify and Alhinho accepted that would be a tough task.