WCQ: Gabon edge Burundi to move top of Group F

Les Pantheres of Gabon secured their first away win in 2023 and a vital one in Group F after seeing out Burundi 2-1 in their second game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers played at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Tanzania.

Coming off a 2-1 home comeback victory over Kenya last Thursday, a win on the road on Sunday saw them climb to the top of the six-team group with a perfect record of six points, and three ahead of Ivory Coast, who play The Gambia on Monday evening.

Gabon got themselves to the lead after thirty-five minutes through Jim Allevinah who fed an assist from Jeremy Yono before unleashing a right-footed shot past Burundi goalkeeper Jonathan Nahimana.

Prior to that, Gabon had found themselves close to the opener, only for efforts from Guelor Kanga and Denis Bouanga to fly wide.

Gabon carried a 1-0 lead at halftime and it would take till the 83rd minute for them to score again, Bouanga hitting a right-footed shot inside the box for 2-0, before Gael Bigirimana halved the deficit three minutes later as he extended a foot to divert Hussein Shabani’s header past 23-year-old custodian Anse Ngoubi Demba.

NSL: Mathare strike late to extend league lead, Mara Sugar too good for MCF

The goal for Bouanga was his seventh consecutive for both club and country.

The game also saw Sofapaka FC striker Fiston Abdul Razak feature in the first half, before being substituted at half-time for AS Kigali’s Shabani.

Bandari’s Shassiri Nahimana was an unused substitute.

Former Sofapaka and Bandari goalkeeper Justin Ndikumana watched the game from the stands.

Hoping to remain with Gabon’s form will be Harambee Stars, who return to the pitch on Monday night in a game against Seychelles at the Stade Felix Houphouet - Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

The game kicks off at 2200 EAT.