# Burundi women's national football team

The Burundi women's national football team, nicknamed the Swallows (French: Hirondelles), represents Burundi in women's international football competitions. The team has competed since 2016 in matches recognised by FIFA, the sport's international governing body. A senior national team has been continually inactive, but an under-20 team has played in numerous matches. Further development of football in the country faces challenges found across Africa, including inequality and limited access to education for women. A women's football programme did not exist in Burundi until 2000, and only 455 players had registered for participation on the national level by 2006.

## History

In 1985, almost no country in the world had a women's national football team. While the sport grew in popularity worldwide in the ensuing years, Burundi did not have an official team until more than two decades later. By 2009, however, Burundi had a FIFA-recognised senior national team nicknamed the Swallows and a FIFA-recognised Burundi women's national under-20 football team. The under-20 team played one international match in 2002, one in 2004 and one in 2006.
The senior national football team has never competed in a FIFA-sanctioned fixture and has not competed at the Women's World Cup. The team was one of 200 preparing for a qualification tournament for the cup in 2007, but did not play in the competition. The team has withdrawn from numerous other events. Burundi was to play in the 2008 African Women's Championship but withdrew from the tournament, giving the Democratic Republic of the Congo an automatic qualification. The team also withdrew from the 2010 and 2012 editions of the Africa Women Cup of Nations before the first-round qualifiers. Burundi has not participated in other major events on the continent, including the 2011 All-Africa Games. As of March 2012, the team was not ranked by FIFA.
Burundi was scheduled to participate in a competition in 2007 organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Zanzibar. Nicholas Musonye, the secretary of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa), said of the event, "CAF wants to develop women's football in this region in recognition of the milestones Cecafa has achieved over the years. CAF appreciates what Cecafa has done despite the hardships the association has gone through, from financial problems to political instability in member states and poor management of associations. Member states in the Cecafa region have not taken women's football seriously. CAF now wants to sponsor a long-term campaign to attract women from this region into the game." The competition was canceled due to lack of funds.
Burundi's women's team was assembled in 2019 under coach Daniella Niyibimenya in anticipation of the 2019 CECAFA Women's Championship. The team was defeated 2–0 in a match with the Uganda women's national football team. Speaking on the team's lack of permanence and performance, Niyibimenya said, "We have a talented team but they need several warm-up matches to develop their character. Due to a lack of resources, we can only bring the girls together when a competition is announced."

### Background and development

   Women's football is now [a] big deal. The standard that we have attained in Africa is good enough. Soon, an African team will challenge seriously for the World Cup. But we need far more support from governments and big business.
The development of women's football in Africa faces several challenges, including limited access to education, poverty amongst women, inequalities and human rights abuses.
The Football Federation of Burundi, the country's national association, created a woman's football programme in 2000. By 2006, there were just 455 registered women players, and the absence of a thriving women's game has been an obstacle for the national team. Lydia Nsekera is the head of the national football association.
Outside the national federation, the Commission nationale du football féminin was established by the 1990s, and a league and women's teams were organised in the same period in Bujumbura.

## 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.

### Legend

Win  Draw  Lose  Void or Postponed  Fixture

### 2025

Source : global sport

## Coaching staff
### Current coaching staff

Updated as February 2025
| Position | Name | Ref. |
| Head coach | Olivier Niyungeko | |

### Manager history

* Gustave Niyonkuru (20xx–2023)
* Olivier Mutombola(2023-2024)
* Niyungeko Alain Olivier(2024-)

## Players
### Current squad

* The following is the Squad called up for the 2026 WAFCON qualifying First round named on 12 February 2025.
* Caps and goals accurate up to and including 30 October 2021.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Club |
| | 1GK | Ariella Umurerwa | (2005-02-27) 27 February 2005 (age 20) | Top Girls Académie |
| | | Faida Habimana | | Buja Queens |
| | 2DF | Channy Nsabiyumva | | Top Girls Académie |
| 20 | 2DF | Annociate Nshimirimana | (2004-10-02) 2 October 2004 (age 20) | Fouantaine Gate |
| 20 | 2DF | Neema Nshimirimana | | Top Girls Académie |
| 10 | 2DF | Nasra Nahimana | (1999-12-10) 10 December 1999 (age 25) | Top Girls Académie |
| 19 | 2DF | Rachelle Bukuru | | Top Girls Académie |
| | 2DF | Espérance Habonimana | (2007-04-12) 12 April 2007 (age 17) | Police WFC |
| | 4FW | Zilfa Suzanne | (1998-03-16) 16 March 1998 (age 26) | Fouantaine Gate |
| 12 | 2DF | Angélique Keza | (2004-08-01) 1 August 2004 (age 20) | Rayon Sport |
| | 2DF | Gloris Gakiza | (2007-11-25) 25 November 2007 (age 17) | Guja Queen |
| | 3MF | Deddy Déricka Horaho | | |
| 8 | 3MF | Erica Kanyamuneza | (2001-08-11) 11 August 2001 (age 23) | Police WFC |
| 8 | 3MF | Erica Kanyamuneza | (2001-08-11) 11 August 2001 (age 23) | Police WFC |
| 11 | 3MF | Asha Djafari (captain) | (1998-07-10) 10 July 1998 (age 26) | Simba Queens |
| | 3MF | Joyce Tunda | | Forever WFC |
| | 3MF | Bora Ineza | | Top Girls |
| | 4FW | Sandrine Niyonkuru | | FC Maser |
| | 4FW | Rahay-Roy Nzoyikorera | | Top Girls Académie |
| | 4FW | Adolphine Rumuri | | Bugesera FC |
| | 4FW | Rukiya Bizimana | (2006-03-23) 23 March 2006 (age 18) | Rayon Sport |
| | 4FW | Chancelline Akimana | | Police WFC |

### Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to a Burundi squad in the past 12 months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
| GK | Solange Manirakiza | | - | - | La colombe FC | v. Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025 |
| GK | Clairia Nshimirimana | | - | - | La colombe FC | v. Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025 |
| DF | Evelyne Akimana | | - | - | La Colombe FC | v. Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025 |
| DF | Rasia Uwimana | | - | - | Top Girls Académie | v. Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025 |
| DF | Abeda Hamisi Saidi | | - | - | La Colombe FC | v. Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025 |
| DF | Edgardy Marimba Yasinta | | - | - | Top Girls Académie | v. Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025 |
| MF | Happy Irakoze | | - | - | | v. Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025 |
| MF | Peace Olga Niyomwungere | (2005-12-20) 20 December 2005 (age 19) | - | - | AS Kigali | v. Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025 |
| MF | Joëlle Bukuru | (1999-02-13) 13 February 1999 (age 26) | - | - | | v. Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025 |
| MF | Josephine Majura | | - | - | Bon Avenir | v. Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025 |
| | Estelle Gakima | | - | - | La COlombe FC | v. Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025 |
| FW | Aniella Uwimana | {{{age}}} | - | - | | v. Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025 |
| FW | Bella Vyizigiro | | - | - | La Colombe FC | v. Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025 |
| $^{INJ}$ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. $^{PRE}$ Preliminary squad. $^{SUS}$ Player is serving a suspension. $^{WD}$ Player withdrew for personal reasons. |||||||

### Previous squads
#### Africa Women Cup of Nations

* 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations squads

#### CECAFA Women's Championship

* 2022 CECAFA Women's Championship squads

## Competitive record

Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place

### Africa Women Cup of Nations

Africa Women Cup of Nations :
| Year | Round | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GD |
| 1991 to 2014 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2016 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter |
| 2018 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Africa | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Africa | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Africa | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Africa | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Africa | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Africa | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Africa | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Africa |
| 2022 | Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 11 | −8 |
| 2024 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| Total | 1/14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 11 | −8 |
(The former format was amended as it did not comply with MOS:FLAG as discussed here)
    *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

### African Games

African Games record :
| Year | Result | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA |
| 2003 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2007 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2011 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2015 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2019 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter |
| 2023 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter |
| Total | 0/4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

### FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record :
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GD |
| 1991 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 1995 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 1999 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2003 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2007 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2011 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2015 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2019 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter |
| 2023 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2027 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| Total | 0/10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
    *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

### Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record :
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GD |
| 1996 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2000 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2004 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2008 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2012 | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist | did not exist |
| 2016 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter |
| 2020 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter |
| 2024 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter |
| Total | 0/7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
    *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

### CECAFA Women's Championship

CECAFA Women's Championship :
| Year | Round | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GD |
| 1986 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter |
| 2016 | Groupe stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 6 | +4 |
| 2018 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter |
| 2019 | 4th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 11 | −3 |
| 2021 | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| 2022 | Runner-up | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| Total | 1/5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

## Honours
### Regional

* CECAFA Women's Championship
    Runners-up:

## All−time record against FIFA recognized nations

The list shown below shows the Djibouti national football team all−time international record against opposing nations. *As of xxxxxx after match against xxxx.

### Key

| Against | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Confederation |

### Record per opponent

*As ofxxxxx after match against xxxxx.

#### Key

The following table shows Djibouti's all-time official international record per opponent:
| Opponent | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W% | Confederation |
| Total | | | | | | | | | — |