Gabon, burundi match ends in a stalemate

Gabon and Burundi played to a goalless stalemate in a Group D game at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday night.

There was little to cheer about in this encounter of lowly ranked sides and both seemed satisfied with a share of the spoils.

Little was expected from the two sides and true to predictions, the match truly lived up to its tame billing. The opening stanza was characterised by a great deal of play in the middle of the park, with sporadic action upfront.

Burundi’s Fiston Abdoul was the first to have a sniff at goal when he was put through in the 4th minute but fell easily in the box in a bid to win a penalty. However, South African referee Victor Gomes was uninterested by these acting antics and waved play on.

From Gabon’s first corner kick, Demond Mouele misdirected his effort and a minute later his header went just wide as The Panthers turned on the heat.

Burundi countered midway through but Celestin Habonimana horribly delivered an awful cross when his teammates were lining up for a cross into the box.

However Gabon, a tiny oil-rich Central African country always looked more dangerous and on the 26th minute, a Michel Cousin’s cross found no takers as the game got bogged down with some lacklustre play.

Gabon continued to press forward and Engonga Obame’s header was cleared off the line and defender Aaron Appidangonye’s follow up lacked sting.

With five minutes to go to half time, Cousin again failed to beat Burundi goalkeeper Arthur Arakaza when he was clear on goal. It was all Gabon who asked a lot of questions as the match progressed.
A crude tackle from behind by Gabon Tchen Kabi saw him being booked at the stroke of half time as the Central Africans finished the first half, by far the stronger side.

Soon after resumption, Cousin’s free-kick failed to trouble Arakaza as Gabon searched for the winner.

The Panthers right back Aaron Appidangonye then gave away an unnecessary free kick on the edge of the box but Celestin Habonimana’s dipping shot narrowly missed the target as Burundi almost took an undeserved lead.

Nguema Obame then missed one of the best chances of the match when the Burundi goalkeeper came off his line, mistimed the cross but the Gabonese striker failed to direct his header into the net.
The East Africans replied with Yussuf Ndikumana missing a gilt-edged chance inside the box with a header late in the game as both sides seemed content with a draw.

Substitute Samson Mbingui thought he had given Gabon a late winner but his header was ruled offside as the game ended in a tame draw.

Confederation of African Football News