© Reuters 2002

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, Oct 13 (Reuters) - South Africa fell short of their intended goal target but still comfortably beat Burundi 2-0 on Sunday to go top of their African Nations Cup qualifying group.

The home side were hoping for a goal festival against the east African lightweights to improve their goal difference in group 11 but, after getting off to a quick start, failed to score again in the second half.

Patrick Mayo scored his third goal in as many matches for his country after 13 minutes when his powerful header slipped through the grasp of Burundi goalkeeper Aime Kitenge.

Kitenge was the only foreign-based player in Burundi's team and plays his club soccer in South Africa's premier league.

German-based winger Delron Buckley scored the second goal after a quick breakaway down the left in the 39th minute as South Africa dominated all phases of play.

South African goalkeeper Andre Arendse did not have a single touch of the ball in the first half of the match and made his first save with just three minutes left of the game.

Despite all their possession, South Africa missed an array of second-half chances.

Coach Ephraim Mashaba was hoping for more goals in case the group, which also comprises the Ivory Coast, is settled on goal difference at the end of the qualifiers in July.

The absence of England-based striker Shaun Bartlett and Benni McCarthy, who plays in Spain, was evident in the second half as the home side showed a lack of experience in attack.

Bartlett, who plays for English premier league club Charlton Athletic, was injured while McCarthy was not selected after criticising South African football administrators last month.

South Africa top group 11 with four points from their first two games. Ivory Coast are second with one point and Burundi are bottom with no points.