TACTICAL ANALYSIS: Mauritania's hybrid game plan that floored Burkina Faso

Mauritania kept their quarterfinal hopes alive in Group B of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burkina Faso at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

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The result moved Mauritania to seven points, eliminating Burkina Faso in the process, and leaving head coach Lopez Garay’s men hoping that Madagascar slip in their final group match to allow them a route into the knockout stage.

Garay’s Plan: Physical Presence Meets Technical Width

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From the onset, Garay set up his side in a 4-2-3-1 structure, which morphed into a compact 4-4-2 both in attack and defence. This flexibility was central to the game plan.

The front pairing of Abdallahi Mahmoud and Ahmed Ahmed offered constant physical pressure on the Burkinabe backline.

Their ability to hold off defenders and protect the ball allowed Mauritania to bypass Burkina Faso’s aggressive high press, especially after initial attempts to build from the back were met with intense pressure.

When forced long, Mauritania played direct into their two strikers, who excelled in aerial duels and back-to-goal play.

This hold-up work opened the stage for the wide men, particularly El Mami Tetah on the right and Moulaye Khalil on the left, to receive possession in advanced zones and run directly at their markers.

Tetah’s Influence: 1v1 Excellence and Game-Changing Impact

Tetah was the standout performer and the clear man of the match. His performance combined technical sharpness with relentless attacking intent.

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In 1v1 situations, Tetah displayed exceptional body feints, close control under pressure, and the ability to shift the ball quickly onto either foot to unbalance defenders.

He consistently attacked space with purpose, using explosive acceleration to create separation in tight areas.

His most decisive moment came in the first half added time when he received the ball wide, isolated his fullback, and drove into the box with a quick step-over followed by a change of pace.

The defender, already struggling to match his footwork, lunged in and brought Tetah down, resulting in a penalty. Allasane Diop converted from the spot to give Mauritania the lead.

Beyond this moment, Tetah’s progressive carries and ability to draw fouls helped Mauritania control the rhythm of play, constantly forcing Burkina Faso onto the back foot and into risky challenges.

Exploiting Rash Defending

Burkina Faso’s defensive approach played right into Mauritania’s strategy. The Burkinabe backline was overly aggressive, often stepping into tackles without proper cover.

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This resulted not only in the penalty but also in a string of free-kicks in dangerous areas. The breaking point came when Abdoulaye Toure was sent off after a reckless challenge, leaving Burkina Faso to play the second half with ten men.

Second Half Control and Game Management

With the numerical advantage, Mauritania slowed the game down and began to build from the back more comfortably.

Burkina Faso reshaped into a 4-4-1, with the lone forward pressing in isolation. Garay’s men responded by starting their build-up with three players at the back, usually the two centre-backs plus a fullback tucking in, creating a 3v1 superiority in the first phase. This made it easy to bypass the first line of pressure.

Mauritania then shifted their focus to crossfield passes, switching play frequently to stretch the shorthanded Burkina Faso defence.

This forced the remaining players to cover large distances, gradually wearing them down. The tempo control, coupled with positional discipline, ensured Mauritania saw out the win without major defensive scares.

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This match was a clear example of tactical discipline meeting individual brilliance. Garay’s decision to combine physical forwards with technically adept wingers paid off handsomely, while Tetah’s 1v1 mastery was the decisive factor in earning the game-winning penalty and swinging momentum in Mauritania’s favour.

Burkina Faso’s rash defending not only gifted Mauritania the breakthrough but also undermined their chances once reduced to ten men.

For Mauritania, the win keeps their knockout hopes alive — and if they do progress, much will hinge on replicating Tetah’s influence and the structural discipline shown here.