Burundi are the first team to qualify for the semi-final stage at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers in Tanzania.
After seeing off South Sudan 4-0 in their opening Group C match few days ago, the Burundi team collected a second straight win beating Kenya 2-0 on Thursday.
Captain Amini Nshimirimana gave Burundi the lead after only 10 minutes.
After a good build up in the Kenyan half, Nshimirimana made no mistake to beat Kenya's goalkeeper Wayne Orata.
The Kenyan team tried to push forward, but failed to penetrate the tight defending line marshaled by Cadeau Ndayishimiye and Radjabu Nzeyimana.
Kenya's Edwin Jumba and substitute Theodore Gitari tried to push forward with shots from outside the box, but failed to score.
It was all celebration for the Burundi team after the final whistle.
Jean De Dieu Rukundo, the Burundi coach, thanked his team for a job well done to qualify for the semi finals.
Action continues on Saturday with Kenya facing South Sudan, Sudan battling Uganda, and Ethiopia taking on hosts Tanzania.
With Burundi topping Group C, they now await the top team in Group A at the semi-final stage on September 22, while the top team in Group B will face the best second placed team from all the groups.
How did Burundi top Group C?
Burundi won both their group matches, beating South Sudan 4-0 and Kenya 2-0, to finish top of Group C with a perfect record.
What are the remaining Group C fixtures?
- Kenya vs South Sudan
- Sudan vs Uganda
- Ethiopia vs Tanzania
Group C standings after Burundi's win
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burundi | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 6 |
| Uganda | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 3 |
Who will Burundi face in the semi-finals?
Burundi will face the top team from Group A on September 22, with the winner of Group B taking on the best second-placed team from all groups.
The argument doing the rounds in Tanzanian football circles is whether Burundi's early qualification gives them an unfair advantage, resting key players before their semis while other groups battle to the final day.
Ask any neutral fan and you get one of two answers: Burundi look like genuine title contenders, or the real test only starts now against tougher opposition.
Source: Africa Top Sports
