Burundi hold off Gabon to seal historic Nations Cup qualification

Burundi held off Gabon in their final 2019 AFCON qualifying match on Saturday to seal their very first qualification for the Nations Cup.

Despite having Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the pitch, Gabon failed to break Burundi who were playing at home a secured a 1-1 draw to reach the finals.

Gabon need a win to be through but fell behind in the 76th minute when Cedric Amissi put Burundi ahead.

But an own-goal from Omar Ngando eight minutes from time made it a tense finish as Gabon searched for the victory but the hosts held them off.

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The result means Burundi finished second in Group C, behind group leaders Mali who have already qualified, with Gabon, the 2017 Nations Cup hosts, third.

Burundi – who are 138th in the Fifa rankings – will join fellow East Africans Uganda and Kenya at the 2019 finals in Egypt.

On Friday, Angola sealed their place at the finals in Egypt with a 1-0 win away to Botswana in their final group I match.

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations is billed to take place between June 7 and June 30, 2019; and will feature 24 teams to be hosted by Egypt.

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