Ahead of the return leg in Nouakchott, Boureima Maïga, a former Burkina Faso international, is calling for a more defensive set-up to protect the advantage gained in the first leg (1-0) and move closer to the 2027 AFCON with the Stallions.
Against Mauritania, the Stallions won 1-0 on matchday three of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, according to media.cridem.org. The win puts them in a strong position before the trip to Nouakchott, scheduled for 17 November 2026.
For the return leg, Boureima Maïga, a former international and founder of the AD-DUHA academy, gave his advice to Cridem. He believes the Stallions “fully deserved” their first-leg victory and argues for an approach built on defensive solidity to protect that advantage.
A 4-3-2-1 to shut up shop
Boureima Maïga would go for a 4-3-2-1 shape, with two defensive midfielders capable of winning plenty of balls. The stated aim: stop Mauritania from dominating midfield and tire out the opposition. “We have to stop Mauritania from dominating midfield, make their players move a lot and tire them out,” he told Cridem.
The return leg will be played in Nouakchott, where Mauritania will be driven on by their crowd. Two defensive midfielders would pack the middle of the park against that pressure.
Ouattara and Irié, the attacking weapons
While Boureima Maïga preaches caution, he does not overlook the Stallions’ attacking potential. He would like to see striker Dango Ouattara on the left flank, able to get in behind at any moment.
He also hopes to have winger Cyriaque Irié available, who can make a difference on the right flank.
A draw and a 90% chance
For Boureima Maïga, the situation is clear: “A draw would give us practically a 90% chance of qualifying. So we have to do everything not to lose,” he told Cridem.
Burkina Faso share top spot in Group F with Benin on 7 points, according to Africasoccer. A win in Nouakchott would open the door to qualification.
According to Maïga, the Burkina Faso head coach sticks to a 4-4-2, a different shape from the one he advocates.