Burkina Faso must prioritise defensive strength against Mauritania, says Boureima Maiga

Boureima Maiga believes Burkina Faso must do “everything possible not to lose” when they face Mauritania again in the fourth round of the CAN 2027 group qualifiers.

The Etalons won the first meeting 1-0 in the third round, but the former Burkina Faso international has called for a more cautious approach in the return fixture. Maiga, who founded the AD-DUHA academy, says preserving that advantage should be the team’s main objective.

Rather than relying on the system usually preferred by the national team’s manager, Maiga would set Burkina Faso up in a 4-3-2-1 formation. He believes the arrangement would give the side greater control in midfield while also allowing them to exploit the spaces Mauritania are likely to leave behind.

His proposed team includes several changes in both the defensive and attacking areas. Herve Koffi would start in goal, with Arsene Kouassi at left-back and Mamoutou Ouedraogo, who plays in Moldova, on the right. Edmond Tapsoba and Nasser Djiga would form the centre-back pairing.

Ismahila and Sacha Banse would operate in central midfield, with Josue Tiendrebeogo given a more advanced role. Maiga would use Dango Ouattara on the left, while another attacking player would occupy the right side.

He would also select a lone centre-forward to begin the game, with Lassina Traore considered an option to introduce after half-time. That plan would allow Burkina Faso to maintain a solid shape early on before adding further attacking threat during the second period.

Maiga also highlighted the importance of Dango Ouattara and Cyriaque Irie to the team’s attacking play. Their pace and ability to make forward runs would be particularly valuable if Mauritania commit players forward in search of an equaliser.

The former international says the selected players must be prepared to contribute at both ends of the pitch. For him, the key is to have footballers capable of repeating high-intensity efforts, supporting the defence before quickly joining attacks when possession is regained.

Mauritania will soon host Burkina Faso in their fourth match of the CAN 2027 qualifying campaign. The listed match odds are 3.45 for a Mauritania victory, 3.10 for a draw and 2.05 for a Burkina Faso win.