Mauritania moved to second position in pool B following their slim win against Burkina Faso at the African Nations Championships (CHAN) at the Benjamin Mkapa stadium in Tanzania.
In what was a do or die encounter, Mauritania won by 1-0 with the solitary goal scored by Alassane Diop after converting from the spot kick to hand much needed victory to step one foot into the quarterfinals.
Having seven points from four matches played, behind leaders and hosts Tanzania who have 9 points, Mauritania will bank Burkina Faso who have 3 points to either hold a draw or beat Madagascar in their pool match come Saturday.
Leaders Tanzania, that has won all their three opening matches with nine points will take on bottom of the table side Central Africa Republic that has zero points after losing all their matches.