Burundi joined Uganda Cranes as the only two teams to have already qualified for the Cecafa Tusker Cup 2012 after beating Tanzania’s Taifa Stars 1-0 in a closely contested match played at Mandela national stadium on Wednesday evening.
Sulemani Ndikumana scored the only goal of the game from the penalty in the 50th minute after he was fouled in the forbidden area by Taifa Stars centre back Shomari Kapombe.
With Sudan winning the earlier match in the group against Somalia, both teams took to the field aiming at picking maximum points to advance from the group as early as the second game.
Kim Poulsen’s side began the better of the two sides with Mrisho Ngassa, Mwinyi Kazimoto and Simon Msuva sending ferocious shots which Burundi keeper Arthur Arakaza did well to save.
On the other end, Selemani Ndikumana and Amissi Tambwe were also tormenting the Tanzania rear guard but Shomari Kapombe’s backline stood still.
The first half ended in goal less despite both teams endlessly displaying attacking football.
Tanzania started the second half brighter with Ngassa testing Arazak on two occasions but were very unlucky to concede from the spot.
In the 49th minute Burundi captain Sulemani Ndikumana was brought down in the forbidden area by Shomari Kapombe and Ugandan referee Ronnie Kalema pointed to the spot.
The skipper picked himself from the ground to send Taifa Stars goalie Juma Kasejja the wrong way to give Burundi the lead.
From then on, Tanzania threw everything at Burundi and John Raphael Bocco came close to scoring an equaliser but good goal keeping, defending and the wood work came to Burundi’s rescue.
Burundi also came close to adding a second but Juma Kasejja was up to task.
In the end, Burundi picked the three points which earned them a quarter final berth while Tanzania remains second on the log in the group.
