Burundi dreaming big ahead of historic first Africa Cup of Nations appearance
For the first time in its history, Burundi has qualified for the final phase of the Africa Cup of Nations and will arrive in Egypt with ambition and hope. After surprising many observers during the qualifiers, the Swallows are determined to continue their fairy-tale run on the continental stage.
Drawn into a difficult qualifying group alongside Mali and Gabon, two established African football nations, Burundi managed to carve out a place among them. The East African side finished second behind Mali with 10 points, earning a historic ticket to the 2019 AFCON. Their success was largely built on strong home performances, where one victory and two draws proved decisive.
Under the guidance of head coach Olivier Niyungeko, Burundi have developed a well-organised and disciplined team built around collective strength. But beyond the group’s cohesion, the Swallows can also rely on individual talents capable of making the difference at any moment.
One of the standout players is striker Fiston Abdoul Razak of JS Kabylie. With six goals, he finished as the second-highest scorer in the AFCON qualifiers, playing a crucial role in Burundi’s qualification. Alongside him is Saïdo Berahino, the former England youth international, whose experience and quality add another attacking threat to the Burundian frontline.
For their AFCON debut, Burundi have been placed in Group B with Nigeria, Guinea, and Madagascar, a challenging group that will test the newcomers from the very start. Their tournament will begin on Saturday, June 22 at 5:00 PM GMT, against African giants Nigeria.
Although they enter the competition as underdogs, Burundi are determined to approach the tournament without fear, driven by the same fighting spirit that carried them through the qualifiers. In Egypt, the Swallows are not only aiming to participate — they are dreaming of making history.
John Attisso
