By Rainos Mukanya
The Swallows of Burundi fought hard to earn a nil all draw with the Panthers of Gabon in a dull African Nations Championship Group D encounter played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
The Panthers had been tipped to roll over the Swallows, but they found the Burundi defence in an uncompromising mood.
The match started slowly with neither team managing a shot at goal in the first 20 minutes. However, 21st minute Gabon striker Frank Obame found himself with acres of space on the edge of the box, but he blazed his shot over the bar.
The Gabonese wasted two more chances in the 30th and 32nd minutes. Neither goalkeeper was tested until Burundi’s number one; Arthur Arakaza threw his body bravely to block a shot from Daniel Cousin who had done well to control a long pass from the back.
By the end of the first half Burundi had managed only one shot at goal to Gabon’s five.
The second half began with Gabon trying to break down the Swallows’ watertight defence to no avail. The half itself had little goalmouth action by the stroke a full time Gabon had managed only a few long range efforts which failed to trouble the keeper.
However, in the 90th minute Gabon thought they had finally found the goal they needed when Obame headed past Arakaza, but his effort was ruled out for an offside.
Had the goal been allowed to stand it would have broken the hearts of the Burundi fans who had their team holding its own against top ranked Gabon.
In another Group D encounter the DRC were made to work for a hard fought victory over Mauritania. A second half penalty by Eddy Omomo was enough to see off a spirited challenge by the Mauritanians. The result means that the DRC lead Group D ahead of Burundi and Gabon.
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