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| Zanzibar celebrate the shootout victory |
Salum Nassor named an attack minded team and they created the first real chances with Khamis Mcha failing to hit the target in the 20th minute before Abdi Kassim fired over on the half-hour. The non-FIFA side had dominated possession but in the 37th minute Ali Mwadini was forced to make a smart save from a powerful Emery Nimubona free-kick. Burundi then came back into the match and on the stroke of half time Mwadini again had to be equal to a Nimubona effort, and the sides went in goalless. In the 2nd-half Burundi dominated and went close on several occasions. In the 63rd minute captain Selemani Ndikumana saw his shot cleared off the line after a lengthy spell of pressure and 8 minutes later Styve Nzigamasabo fired narrowly over. Nimubona went close again before Mcha shot wide in a rare Zanzibar attack late on. Neither side could find a goal and with no extra-time the game was to be decided on penalties. After Ndikumana skied Burundi’s first penalty the islanders were looking good until captain Nadir Haroub pulled his effort wide. The shootout went to sudden death when Gaël Duhayindavyi and Aggrey Morris both converted to continue the drama. Ali Mwadini then made a stunning save to deny Abdoul Fiston which allowed Abdalla Othman, who entered the game in the final minute, to send the non-FIFA team through 6-5 on spot kicks.
Coach Nassor said of his players after the game "these boys are so determined and hungry for success". The islanders have surprised many to reach this stage of the competition and they'll meet Kenya in the semi-final on Thursday. Kick-off is at 19:00 (16:00 U.K.) and updates will be available via our Twitter service @NonFIFAfootball.
Match information –
Score: Burundi 0 – 0 Zanzibar* (5-6 pens)
Zanzibar XI: Mwadini; Haroub, Ali, Morris; S.Makame, Abdalla,
Ally [Othman 89’], Kassim, Mcha; Juma, Azizi.
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