Mauritania took a decisive step towards the CHAN quarter-finals with a gritty 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in Dar es Salaam, secured by Alassane Diop’s first-half penalty after a chaotic spell shaped by VAR decisions and indiscipline.
El Mami Tetah won the spot-kick deep into stoppage time before the break, felled by Kalifa Nikièma in the box moments after Issouf Kaboré had fouled him on halfway. Moroccan referee Jelly Chavane pointed to the spot after a lengthy video review, and Diop drove low into the left corner.
The incident capped a stormy half in which Burkina’s Abdoulaye Touré was dismissed for violent conduct following another VAR check, his yellow card upgraded to red for an off-the-ball offence on Moulaye Al Khalil.
The Stallions, already knowing defeat would end their tournament, began brightly with Issouf Kaboré, Abdoul Abass Guiro and Ousmane Siry all going close inside 15 minutes. But Mauritania steadied, worked set-piece positions and seized their moment as Burkina’s discipline unravelled.
A man down, Issa Balbon’s side emerged aggressively after the restart. Patrick Malo stung Abderrahmane Sarr’s palms from distance, while Ladji Brahima Sanou denied Tetah twice. Abdoul Baguian’s header rattled the post, and substitute Papus Ouattara was foiled at point-blank range as Mauritania defended desperately.
Nouh El Abd and Soukrana Mheimid marshalled the back line, Abdallahi Mahmoud covered tirelessly in midfield, and the Mourabitounes bought crucial fouls to slow the tempo. Burkina’s card count mounted, with Koutiama, Diallo and Ouattara all booked in the closing stages.
The win lifts Mauritania to seven points, behind group leaders Tanzania on nine. Madagascar, on four, are the only side who can still catch them; Burkina Faso, marooned on three, are out. For Artiz López Garai, this was exactly the streetwise performance needed to keep their CHAN dream alive.
