Burkina Faso win, Mauritania still qualify

by Staff Reporter

Friday Mar 22, 2019. 22:19

Burkina Faso ended their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on a positive note with a slender 1-0 win over Mauritania in a Group I match at the Stade du 4 Août on Friday night.

Despite the win Burkina Faso did not qualify for the tournament proper after finishing third in Group I with ten points.

Despite the loss Mauritania still qualified for Afcon later this year after finishing second with 12 points, behind Angola (also on 12 points) who beat Botswana 1-0 also on Friday night.

Botswana finished bottom of the standings on one point after five losses and one draw in a disastrous qualifying campaign.

The only goal of the game at the Stade du 4 Août on Friday night was scored in the opening half by Bertrand Traoré in the 19th minute to give Burkina Faso their third win of the campaign.

The loss for Mauritania was their second in Group I and saw them throw away the chance to finish top of the standings.

Burkina Faso (1) 1 (B Traore 19’)

Mauritania (0) 0

Starting line-ups

Burkina Faso: Koffi, Kone, Yago, Bayala, Coulibaly, B Traore, Guira, Dayo, Abdou Traore, Nakoulma, Pitroipa.

Mauritania: Diallo, Diaw, Sarr, Abou Demba, Abeid, El Hacen, Guidileye, Diakite, Ba, Gaye.