David Irishura of Burundi challenged by Ibrahim Blati Toure of Burkina Faso during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers match between Burkina Faso and Burundi at Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on 10 October 2024 ©Mohamed Aly/BackpagePix
by
Love Mpembe
Saturday Oct 12, 2024. 13:00
Burundi is set to go up against Burkina Faso in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium on Sunday evening.
Kick-off is at 18:00 CAT (SA, GMT+2)
Both nations’ stadiums could not meet the FIFA standards required for an international competition and they opted to play their “home” games in Abidjan, Ivory Coast as a result.
Burundi have only made it to the AFCON main draw once, which was in the 2019 edition of the competition. They were knocked out in the group stages without winning a single match.
They started their qualification campaign strongly, defeating Malawi 3-2 last month.
However, they were unable to sustain that momentum, falling to Senegal, a formidable force in Africa with a scoreline of 1-0 four days later.
Burundi will aim to get their say against Burkina Faso after being beaten 4-1 in the first fixture which took place earlier this week, and it will be a chance at redemption for the Swallows.
Currently third in the Group L standings, a win against the Stallions could strengthen their chances of getting over the line against their opponents and Senegal who are placed first and second respectively.
Brama Traore was appointed the new Head Coach of Burkina Faso in March and qualifying for the next AFCON is one of the targets set out by the country’s football federation.
President of the Burkinabe Football Federation, Lazar Bansi, said at the time: “After several experiences, we thought it was time to give confidence to a local coach.”
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