{It was tug-of-war between Burundi and Mauritania, but a wonder goal from Selemani Ndikumana in the dying seconds of the match handed Burundi a crucial 3-2 win in their Group D CAF African Nations Championship match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday night. }
The result sees Burundi go to the top of Group D on four points, the same amount of points as Gabon but above them due to the fact they have scored more goals. For Mauritania, the loss spells the end of their competition as they cannot qualify for the knockout stages.
It was a blistering start to the game which saw Mauritania open the scoring in the second minute of the match as Ely Cheikh Voulany made the most of a poor defensive error.
Voulany robbed a defender of the ball on the left flank before driving into the 18-yard box and firing the ball past the keeper from an extremely acute angle 16-yards out, 1-0.
Mauritania continued to control matters after that, but were caught napping at the other end of the park as Burundi equalised ten minutes later against the run of play.
Fiston Razak Abdul lost his markers inside the box and rose highest to powerful head home a left wing cross to level matters, 1-1.
Despite being pegged back Mauritania continued to press forward and came close to finding their second goal in the 14th minute as Yacoub Fall fired narrowly over the target from 30-yards out.
Voulany was in the thick of the action seven minutes later for Mauritania after meeting a right wing cross with a strong header, but he saw his attempt go just wide.
Burundi were then gifted a great chance to take the lead in the 24th minute when the referee awarded them a penalty after Claude Ndarusanze was brought down inside the box.
Selemani Ndikumana stepped up to take the spot-kick, but saw his timid effort easily saved by the goalkeeper.
Super Sport
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