Gabon rue missed opportunities

Gabon created enough chances to come away with a win but in the end were held goalless by Burundi in 2014 African Nations Championship Group D encounter at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday night.
To add salt to the wounds, the Gabonese had a goal disallowed in the dying minutes for offside as they were left to rue their bad luck and wastefulness in front of goal.
Much of the game was a drab midfield battle that was never allowed to find its rhythm with the constant niggling fouls that were punished by referee Victor Gomes.
Gabon had Daniel Cousin to add some star quality to their line-up, and he did provide some of their best moments, but he did not have the players around him to push the side into top gear.
Cousin did have the best chance of the match when he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Burundi stopper Arthur Arakaza did well to close the space between them quickly and made an excellent block.
Franck Engonga also saw his goal-bound header cleared off the line with Arakaza this time beaten, while late on Samson Mbingui had the ball in the back of the net but he was rightfully ruled offside.
Burundi offered little going forward and Gabon goalkeeper Bitseki Moto was a spectator for much of the game.
Next up for Gabon is a meeting with DR Congo on Saturday evening, while after that Burundi tackle Mauritania. DR Congo beat Mauritania 1-0 in the earlier game today.
Gabon 0
Burundi 0
GABON: P. Moto, A. Ondele, E. Mouelé, E. N'Guema, T. Kabi, R. Ntsitsigui (D. Mayoungou 69’), D. Cousin (L. Yacouya 66’), E. Djissikadié (S. Mbingui 82’), C. Avebe, F. Engonga, B. Sokambi
BURUNDI: M. Arakaza, G. Duhayindavyi (J. Ndarusanze 90’), R. Harerimana, C. Nduwarugira (M. Moussa 53’), A. Fiston, C. Habonimana (S. Nahimana 64’), F. Nsabiyumva, Y. Ndikumana, I. Hakizimana, H. Hakizimana, S. Ndikumana