Burundi national football team

Burundi

Nickname(s)	Intamba Les Hirondelles The Chayfs (The Swallows)
Association	Football Federation of Burundi
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	CECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coach	Jimmy Ndayizeye
Captain	Saido Berahino
Most caps	Karim Nizigiyimana (61)
Top scorer	Fiston Abdul Razak (19)
Home stadium	Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium
FIFA code	BDI
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	140 (23 December 2021)[1]
Highest	96 (August 1993)
Lowest	160 (July 1998)
First international
Uganda 7–0 Burundi  (Kampala, Uganda; October 9, 1964)[2]
Biggest win
Burundi 8–1 Seychelles  (Moroni, Comoros; September 4, 2021)  Burundi 7–0 Djibouti  (Bujumbura, Burundi; March 11, 2017)
Biggest defeat
Congo 8–0 Burundi  (Cameroon; December 24, 1977)[2]
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	1 (first in 2019)
Best result	Group stage (2019)

The Burundi national football team, nicknamed The Swallows (French: Les Hirondelles) (Kirundi: Intamba m'Urugamba), represents Burundi in international football and is controlled by the Football Federation of Burundi. The team has never qualified for the World Cup. Burundi previously did come very close to qualifying for the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, losing only on penalties to Guinea in a playoff. However, in 2019, it qualified for the first time, and took part in the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Group B, but lost all its matches and left from the group stage without scoring a single goal.

History[]

Difficult beginnings (1974-1992)[]

The Burundi football team was created in 1971 by the Football Federation of Burundi. The Swallows' first match was in a 1976 African Cup of Nations qualification match against Somalia, which ended in a 2–0 victory. Following a 1–0 loss in the second leg, Burundi qualified to meet Egypt in the next round where they lost 5–0 on aggregate and were eliminated. It would be seventeen years before Burundi played another AFCON qualifying match. In their first twenty years, Burundi played in twenty fixtures and managed 6 wins, 2 draws and 12 defeats.

Narrowly missing qualification (1992-1998)[]

In 1992, Burundi entered the qualification rounds for the FIFA World Cup for the first time, but were eliminated in the first round following one win (1-0 against Ghana), one draw (0-0 against Algeria) and two losses in the reverse fixtures to finish bottom of the group. Burundi then finished joint top in their 1994 African Cup of Nations qualification group however they lost their play-off match against Guinea on penalties. Due to the Burundian Civil War, Burundi withdrew from the 1996 and 1998 AFCON qualifiers and, despite beating Sierra Leone 2–0 on aggregate and qualifying for the final round of the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, they withdrew again.

African Cup of Nations qualifiers (2000-2015)[]

Following successive withdrawals from the AFCON qualifiers, Burundi returned for the 2000 competition, beating Tanzania in the preliminary rounds before finishing third in their group behind Burkina Faso and Senegal. In the 2002 qualifiers, Burundi again advanced to the group stages of qualification by beating Djibouti (4-1), but finished last in their group with only two points. In 2004, Burundi performed even worse, collecting no points and finishing last behind South Africa and Ivory Coast. In 2008 Burundi finished five points behind leaders Egypt and didn't make it through to the next round. In 2012 Burundi were even further adrift, finishing thirteen points behind group winners Ivory Coast. For the 2013 qualifiers, Burundi failed to advance due to away goals against Zimbabwe (2-2), and in 2015 they lost to Botswana (1-0) .

FIFA World Cup qualifiers (2002-2014)[]

Burundi did not participate in the 2002 qualification process but re-entered in 2006, only to get knocked out by Gabon in the first round (4-1). In 2010, Burundi managed two victories, both against Seychelles but failed to go through behind Burkina Faso and Tunisia. The 2006 and 2010 qualifiers doubled as qualification for the FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations. The following qualification cycle, Burundi were eliminated by Lesotho in the first round (3-2).

First CAN qualification (2017-present)[]

After falling in the second qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup against DR Congo, Burundi focused on convincing Gaël Bigirimana and Saido Berahino to come and play for the selection, both playing in Europe (for Hibernian and Stoke City respectively). Both players agreed and Berahino scored on his debut to earn the team a 1–1 draw against Gabon. In March 2019, in the final group game, Burundi played a decisive match against Gabon needing only one point to qualify. The match ended in a draw (1-1), with a goal from Cédric Amissi earning Burundi their first opportunity to play in the Africa Cup of Nations. Burundi lost all three of their matches at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, failing to register a single goal.

Team image[]

Colours[]

Traditionally, the Burundi team wears the three colours of its flag: red, green and white.

Sponsors[]

During these beginnings, Burundi is equipped by Erreà, an Italian sports brand. In 2012, he signed a contract with Adidas for a period of 10 years. Despite this long-term contract with Adidas, Burundi is committed in 2018 with Nike. She even signs a contract with Lumitel (a phone brand).

Stadium[]

The Burundi team have played most of their matches in Bujumbura at the Prince Louis Rwagasore stadium. The second match in its history, Burundi is playing its first home match against Somalia (3-0 victory). The Prince Louis Rwagasore stadium is home to Vital'O FC and Prince Louis FC, as well as the national team. The stadium has been renovated several times, notably in March 2018, due to a flooded pitch.

Supporters[]

During the matches at the Prince Louis Rwagasore stadium, the Burundian supporters are often outnumbered, in particular because of the rather low capacity of the stadium (10,000 seats) for around 13,000 spectators. Just like the players, the supporters dress in red, green and white and bring the flag of the country. During the match in March 2019 against Gabon, the authorities have made additional seats available because of the lack of space in the stands.

Results and fixtures[]

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2021[]

Coaches[]

Players[]

Current squad[]

• The following players were called up for the friendly against Myanmar on 13 November 2021.^[4]
• Caps and goals are correct as of 7 September 2021, after the match against Comoros.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Arakaza MacArthur	(1995-07-29) 29 July 1995 (age 26)	28	0	Lusaka Dynamos
	1GK	Jonathan Nahimana	(1999-12-12) 12 December 1999 (age 22)	25	0	KMC
	1GK	Justin Ndikumana	(1993-03-01) 1 March 1993 (age 28)	4	0	Bandari
	2DF	Omar Moussa	(1997-08-30) 30 August 1997 (age 24)	19	0	Police
	2DF	Eric Ndizeye	(1999-08-22) 22 August 1999 (age 22)	10	0	Muzinga
	2DF	Philip Oslev	(1994-11-27) 27 November 1994 (age 27)	4	0	AB
	2DF	Marco Weymans	(1997-07-09) 9 July 1997 (age 24)	4	0	Östersunds
	3MF	Christophe Nduwarugira	(1994-06-22) 22 June 1994 (age 27)	34	7	Leixões
	3MF	Saidi Ntibazonkiza	(1987-05-01) 1 May 1987 (age 34)	25	12	Vital'O
	3MF	Stève Nzigamasabo	(1990-12-10) 10 December 1990 (age 31)	17	1
	3MF	Gaël Bigirimana	(1993-10-22) 22 October 1993 (age 28)	16	0	Glentoran
	3MF	Youssouf Ndayishimiye	(1998-10-27) 27 October 1998 (age 23)	14	1	İstanbul Başakşehir
	3MF	Jospin Nshimirimana	(2001-12-12) 12 December 2001 (age 20)	6	8	Yeni Malatyaspor
	3MF	Trésor Mossi	(2001-08-28) 28 August 2001 (age 20)	0	0	K.V.C. Westerlo
	3MF		(2002-07-28) 28 July 2002 (age 19)	0	0	Yeni Malatyaspor
	4FW	Cédric Amissi	(1990-03-20) 20 March 1990 (age 31)	52	10	Al-Taawoun
	4FW	Fiston Abdul Razak	(1993-09-05) 5 September 1993 (age 28)	49	19	Olympique de Khouribga
	4FW	Saido Berahino (Captain)	(1993-08-04) 4 August 1993 (age 28)	15	1	Sheffield Wednesday
	4FW	Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana	(1997-11-21) 21 November 1997 (age 24)	13	1	Kaisar
	4FW	Mohamed Amissi	(2000-08-03) 3 August 2000 (age 21)	12	0	Heracles Almelo
	4FW	Blaise Bigirimana	(1998-11-04) 4 November 1998 (age 23)	5	2
	4FW	Bienvenue Kanakimana	(1999-12-28) 28 December 1999 (age 22)	5	0	MFK Vyškov

Recent call-ups[]

The following players have been called up for Burundi in the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
DF	David Nshimirimana	(1993-01-02) 2 January 1993 (age 29)	31	0	Sofapaka	v.  Comoros; 7 September 2021
DF	Issa Hakizimana	(1994-08-28) 28 August 1994 (age 27)	24	0		v.  Comoros; 7 September 2021
DF		(1992-02-01) 1 February 1992 (age 30)	17	0	Police	v.  Comoros; 7 September 2021
DF		(1999-06-10) 10 June 1999 (age 22)	7	2	Aigle Noir	v.  Comoros; 7 September 2021
DF		(2000-11-25) 25 November 2000 (age 21)	6	0	Aigle Noir	v.  Comoros; 7 September 2021
DF		(1997-10-10) 10 October 1997 (age 24)	5	0	Aigle Noir Makamba	v.  Comoros; 7 September 2021
DF	Moussa Muryango	(1999-05-25) 25 May 1999 (age 22)	2	0	Lipuli	v.  Comoros; 7 September 2021
MF		(2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 22)	2	0		v.  Comoros; 7 September 2021
MF		(1999-12-15) 15 December 1999 (age 22)	1	0		v.  Comoros; 7 September 2021
DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. PRE Preliminary squad. RET Player has retired from international football. SUS Suspended from the national team, red or yellow cards.

Records[]

As of 30 March 2021^[5]

Players in bold are still active with Burundi.

Competitive record[]

World Cup record[]

FIFA World Cup record										FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1930	Part of  Belgium									Part of  Belgium
1934
1938
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966	Not affiliated to CAF									Not affiliated to CAF
1970
1974	Did not enter									Declined participation
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994	Did not qualify									4	1	1	2	2	4
1998	Withdrew during qualifying									2	2	0	0	2	0
2002	Withdrew									Withdrew
2006	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	1	4
2010										6	2	0	4	5	9
2014										2	0	1	1	2	3
2018										4	2	0	2	5	6
2022										2	0	2	0	2	2
2026	To be determined									To be determined
Total		0/22								22	7	5	10	19	28

Africa Cup of Nations record[]

Africa Cup of Nations record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1957 to 1962	Part of  Belgium
1963 to 1972	Not affiliated to CAF
1974	Did not enter
1976	Did not qualify
1978	Did not enter
1980	Withdrew
1982 to 1992	Did not enter
1994	Did not qualify
1996	Did not enter
1998	Withdrew
2000 to 2017	Did not qualify
2019	Group stage	22nd	3	0	0	3	0	4
2021	Did not qualify
2023	To be determined
2025
Total	Group stage	1/33	3	0	0	3	0	4

African Nations Championship record[]

African Nations Championship
Appearances: 1
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
2009	Did not qualify
2011
2014	Group stage	10th	3	1	1	1	4	4
2016	Did not qualify
2018
2020
2022	To be determined
Total	Group stage	1/6	3	1	1	1	4	4

CECAFA Cup record[]

CECAFA Cup
Appearances: 22
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1973	Did not enter
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979	Group stage	6th	2	0	1	1	1	5
1980	Champions	1st	4	3	0	1	5	2
1981	Group stage	7th	3	0	2	1	2	4
1982		6th	2	0	0	2	0	3
1983		5th	4	2	1	1	4	3
1984	Did not enter
1985
1987
1988
1989
1990	Runners-up	2nd	4	2	1	1	5	3
1991	Fourth place	4th	4	0	1	3	3	9
1992	Did not enter
1994
1995
1996	Third place	3rd	4	1	2	1	6	6
1999	Quarter-finals	8th	3	0	2	1	1	4
2000	Did not enter
2001
2002	Group stage	6th	4	1	1	2	4	5
2003	Fourth place	4th	4	2	1	1	8	2
2004	Third place	3rd	5	3	1	1	11	6
2005	Group stage	6th	4	2	0	2	7	12
2006	Champions	1st	6	2	3	1	7	4
2007		1st	5	2	3	0	8	6
2008	Group stage	6th	4	1	2	1	3	2
2009	Did not enter
2010	Group stage	10th	3	0	1	2	0	5
2011	Third place	3rd	6	3	3	0	6	3
2012	Group stage	9th	3	1	0	2	1	3
2013	Runners-up	2nd	6	4	0	2	8	4
2015	Fourth place	4th	6	2	1	3	7	4
2017	Did not enter
2019	Group stage	9th	4	0	0	4	2	6
Total	3 Titles	22/40	90	31	27	37	89	67

External links[]

• Burundi Football Federation

References[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Burundi national football team.