Madagascar moved a huge step closer to booking their place in the knockout stages of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over fellow tournament debutants Burundi at Alexandria Stadium on Thursday.

Barea dominated the Group B clash from start to finish to move up to four points after two matches. They sit in second spot in the group, two points behind leaders Nigeria who they face at the same venue on Sunday.

All the first-half chances fell to Carolus 'Andrea' Andriamatsinoro who was denied on two occasions by Burundi shot-stopper Jonathan Nahimana, before seeing his 44th minute attempt cleared off the line by Gaël Duhayindavyi.

It was more of the same after the break with the Swallows best chance coming in the 68th minute. Gaël Bigirimana's free-kick looked destined for the back of the net, but Melvin Adrien shuffled to his left to keep the ball from crossing the line.

Marco Ilaimaharitra duly opened the scoring in the 76th minute to give Madagascar a well deserved lead. His free-kick attempt from the edge of the area was just too powerful for Nahimana who had no chance.

Madagascar duly held on for a historic win at their first Afcon tournament.

Madagascar (0) 1 (Ilaimaharitra 76')
Burundi (0) 0

Madagascar: Adrien; Pascal, Metanire, Fontaine, Mombris, Ilaimaharitra, Andrianatenaina, Amada (Rakotoharimalala 60'), Andrea (Voavy 51'), Andriatsima, Nomenjanahary (Raveloson 74').

Burundi: J.Nahimana; Nizigiyimana, Ngando, Nsabiyumva, Nduwarugira, Bigirimana, Duhayindavyi, S.Nahimana (Sabumukama 46'), C.Amissi (Mavugo 82'), Razak, Berahino (M.Amissi 61').

Africa Cup of Nations newbies Madagascar and Burundi will lock horns in a crucial Group B clash at Alexandria Stadium in Alexandria on Thursday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 16h30 CAT.

The two nations gave superb accounts of themselves in their respective tournament debuts, with Madagascar notably claiming a hard fought point against a Guinea side that went unbeaten through qualifying.

Anicet Abel and Carolus Andriamatsinoro scored within the space of six second-half minutes to give Barea the lead, but Francois Kamano would earn Guinea a point in a match that ultimately ended in a 2-2 draw.

"Mentally we're great, we're excited about what we delivered [against Guinea] but we have to be 100% ready because it’s a decisive match.

"We have to play this match with the same excitement as the first one. This way we can create history," said Madagascar midfielder Lalaina Nomenjanahary.

The Swallows suffered a 1-0 loss to Nigeria in their Group B opener with Odion Ighalo's late goal earning all three points for the Super Eagles.

Burundi forward Saido Berahino is hopeful that his side can build on their showing against the West African's by claiming their first Afcon win.

“Mentally we are ready for this match. We have to build upon the positive things from Nigeria’s encounter. This match is really important for us," Berahino added.

Madagascar are currently ranked at 108th place in the latest FIFA World Rankings, while Burundi occupy 134th spot.