By Prime Ndikumagenge BBC Sport in Bujumbura

Group 11: Burundi 0-1 Ivory Coast

Bakari had a dream start

The Ivorian Elephants beat Burundi by a single goal in Bujumbura, but the Swallows did not go down without a fight.

Dagui Bakari of French club Lens grabbed the crucial goal - on his debut - netting from a free-kick on 57 minutes.

Bakari had previously turned down invitations to play for the Elephants, saying he wanted to concentrate on his club career.

Burundi played with spirit, though, and frequently looked the equal of their more illustrious opponents, despite the fact that all-but-one of the Ivorians are playing with European teams.

But towards the end the pressure became too much, and Burundi coach Ribakare Baudouin was dismissed from the bench five minutes before the final whistle after verbally assaulting the Rwandan referee.