AFCON 2019 Qualifiers (Group C):
- Burundi 3-0 South Sudan
- Mali 2-1 Gabon
Burundi kick started their campaign to play at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with a convincing 3-0 victory against visiting South Sudan in Bujumbura on Saturday.
Three first half goals inside a space 15 minutes won the day for the home side coached by Ahcene Ait-Abdelmalek.
Cedric Amissi opened the scoring with a strike on the quarter hour mark.
Gael Duhayinnavyi got the second 10 minutes later before Fiston Abdul Razak scored the third on the 30th minute mark.
From then on, South Sudan resorted to the damage limitation strategy as they defended gallantly and did not concede.
Burundi thus ascends aloft of Group C since Mali managed a 2-1 victory over Gabon in Bamako later on the day.
Gabon took the lead in the 3rd minute of the game through Denis Bouanga.
The home team, coached by Frenchman Alain Giresse replied in the 54th and 57th minutes with Kalifa Coulibaly and youngster Yves Bissouma scoring respectively.
The next round of games will be played on 23rd March 2018.
South Sudan will Mali in Juba and Gabon shall take on Burundi in Liberville.
