Historic triumph for Burundi club Vital'O

JOHANNESBURG: Burundi were celebrating Tuesday after leading club Vital'O became the first football team from the tiny central African country to win an international competition.

Headed goals from captain Amissi Tambwe and Deo dayishimiye within three minutes midway through the second half earned a 2-0 win over APR of Rwanda in the CECAFA Club Cup final in Sudan.

Striker Tambwe had a particularly memorable tournament as he was voted the best footballer at the two-week event and his six goals made him the leading scorer.

The result confirmed the supremacy of Vital'O over APR -- they upset them in a CAF Champions League qualifier this year and beat the Rwandans in a 2012 CECAFA Club Cup third-place play-off.

Vital'O and APR met twice in the east and central Africa club championship this year, drawing 1-1 in a mini-league match that left the clubs level with five points each at the top of Group A.

While the Burundians were playing in the final of the 40-year competition for the the first time, the Rwandans won two and lost three of five previous appearances.

Ranked 36 of 54 African nations, Burundi teams have made little impact in international competitions, never qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations and only once reaching a CAF club final. (AFP)