Hubert Velud admits win over Mauritania was tough

Burkina Faso head coach, Hubert Velud has admitted their win against Mauritania was a tough one after they pick a late win in their opening game of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023. 

Bertrand Traore scored late from the spot to hand Burkina Faso their first win of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Côte d'Ivoire 2023 and that was Hubert Velud’s first win. 

This he says didn’t come easy. 

“We won the game in a more difficult situation, it is even more difficult looking at where the game traveled to,” he said. 

Mauritania’s resolute performance was expected by Hubert Velud and was not surprised with where the game travelled to. 

“We expected such a tough game from Mauritania so we were not surprised because first AFCON games are very balanced. 

“First half was a little balanced, we didn’t create enough chances, our opponent took advantage of our deficiencies,” he concluded. 

Velud credited his triumph to the second half substitution which says changed the game.  

“Second half, Mauritania plunged physically, we were much more dangerous than them, we also had more impact with the changes,” he concluded.