# Burundi national football team

The Burundi national football team, (Kirundi: Umurwi nserukira gihugu w'umupira w'amaguru w'u Burundi), 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 in a major tournament, 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 Intwari 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.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixture

### 2024
## Coaching staff

| Position | Name |
| Head Coach | Patrick Sangwa Mayani |
| Assistant Coach | Philippe Habimana |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Abdoul Ndizeye |
| Match Analyst | Auguste Nduwimana |
| Fitness Coach | Antoine Nshimiyimana |
| Doctors | Dr. Gauthier Ndayambaje Dr. Laurent Ngabonziza |
| Physiotherapists | Baudouin Niyomukiza Gervayi Ngendahayo André Ndayishimiye Flavien Niyigena |
| Team Coordinator | Selemani Ndikumana |
| Technical Director | Olivier Niyungeko |

### Coaching history

* Nikolay Yefimov (Until 1991)
* Baudouin Ribakare (1992)
* Aleksandr Rakitsky (1993–1996)
* Baudouin Ribakare (1997–2004)
* Adel Amrouche (2007–2012)
* Lofty Naseem (2012–2014)
* Rainer Willfeld (2014–2015)
* Ahcene Aït-Abdelmalek (2015–2016)
* Olivier Niyungeko (2016–2019)
* Joslin Bipfubusa (2020)
* Jimmy Ndayizeye (2020–2022)
* Etienne Ndayiragije (2023–)

## Players
### Current squad

The following players were called up to the preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Ivory Coast and Seychelles on 21 and 25 March 2025.
Caps and goals are correct as of 29 December 2024, after the match against Uganda.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1GK | Jonathan Nahimana | (1999-12-12) 12 December 1999 (age 25) | 39 | 0 | Namungo |
| 1GK | Onésime Rukundo | (1999-04-09) 9 April 1999 (age 25) | 14 | 0 | Police |
| 1GK | Mattéo Nkurunziza | (2004-06-02) 2 June 2004 (age 20) | 5 | 0 | R.W.D. Molenbeek |
| 1GK | Aladin Bizimana | (2000-04-01) 1 April 2000 (age 24) | 1 | 0 | Union Saint-Gilloise U23 |
| 2DF | Christophe Nduwarugira | (1994-06-22) 22 June 1994 (age 30) | 48 | 6 | Borneo Samarinda |
| 2DF | Frédéric Nsabiyumva | (1995-04-26) 26 April 1995 (age 29) | 48 | 1 | Västerås |
| 2DF | Omar Moussa | (1997-08-30) 30 August 1997 (age 27) | 21 | 0 | Gorilla |
| 2DF | Keita Bukuru | (2005-04-05) 5 April 2005 (age 19) | 10 | 0 | Aigle Noir |
| 2DF | Marco Weymans | (1997-07-09) 9 July 1997 (age 27) | 10 | 0 | Beerschot |
| 2DF | Derrick Mukombozi | (1999-04-26) 26 April 1999 (age 25) | 8 | 0 | Namungo |
| 2DF | Kevin Icoyitungiye | (2004-11-21) 21 November 2004 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Aigle Noir |
| 2DF | Claus Niyukuri | (2000-02-13) 13 February 2000 (age 25) | 2 | 0 | Haugesund |
| 3MF | Shassiri Nahimana | (1993-08-05) 5 August 1993 (age 31) | 46 | 2 | Pamba |
| 3MF | Youssouf Ndayishimiye | (1998-10-27) 27 October 1998 (age 26) | 25 | 1 | Nice |
| 3MF | Abedi Bigirimana | (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 23) | 19 | 4 | Kiyovu Sports |
| 3MF | Jordi Liongola | (2000-05-17) 17 May 2000 (age 24) | 11 | 0 | La Louvière |
| 3MF | Akbar Muderi | (2003-04-28) 28 April 2003 (age 21) | 11 | 1 | Gasogi United |
| 3MF | Elie Mokono | (1994-02-23) 23 February 1994 (age 31) | 10 | 1 | Singida Fountain Gate |
| 3MF | Trésor Mossi | (2001-08-28) 28 August 2001 (age 23) | 9 | 0 | Sumgayit |
| 3MF | Moussa Madjaliwa | (1992-04-12) 12 April 1992 (age 32) | 7 | 0 | Rayon Sports |
| 3MF | Henry Msanga | (2001-08-24) 24 August 2001 (age 23) | 4 | 0 | Police |
| 3MF | Léonard Gakwaya | (2002-06-01) 1 June 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Bugesera |
| 3MF | Parfait Bizoza | (1999-03-03) 3 March 1999 (age 26) | 0 | 0 | Haugesund |
| 3MF | Richard Ndayishimiye | (2004-01-01) 1 January 2004 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Rayon Sports |
| 4FW | Mohamed Amissi | (2000-08-03) 3 August 2000 (age 24) | 23 | 0 | Modern Sport |
| 4FW | Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana | (1997-11-21) 21 November 1997 (age 27) | 22 | 5 | USM Alger |
| 4FW | Bienvenue Kanakimana | (1999-12-28) 28 December 1999 (age 25) | 21 | 3 | Jablonec |
| 4FW | Sudi Abdallah | (2000-01-05) 5 January 2000 (age 25) | 10 | 3 | PSIS Semarang |
| 4FW | Jean-Claude Girumugisha | (2004-09-18) 18 September 2004 (age 20) | 10 | 1 | Al Hilal |
| 4FW | Pacifique Niyongabire | (2000-03-15) 15 March 2000 (age 25) | 10 | 1 | Valour FC |
| 4FW | Beltran Mvuka | (1998-10-10) 10 October 1998 (age 26) | 0 | 0 | Sandefjord |
| 4FW | Vancy Mabanza | (2000-11-27) 27 November 2000 (age 24) | 0 | 0 | Patro Eisden |
| 4FW | Eddy Nibibona | (2001-12-28) 28 December 2001 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | Rukinzo |

### 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 | Samuel Ndizeye | | 0 | 0 | Police | v. Burkina Faso; 13 October 2024 |
| DF | Ismail Nshimirimana | (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 25) | 10 | 0 | Kiyovu Sports | v. Seychelles; 11 June 2024 |
| DF | Lucien Delaigle | (2004-03-31) 31 March 2004 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | R.W.D. Molenbeek | v. Seychelles; 11 June 2024 |
| DF | Aime Vaillance Nihorimbere | (2000-01-11) 11 January 2000 (age 25) | 2 | 0 | FK Gjøvik-Lyn | v. Seychelles; 11 June 2024 |
| MF | Saidi Ntibazonkiza | (1987-05-01) 1 May 1987 (age 37) | 31 | 13 | Simba | v. Burkina Faso; 13 October 2024 |
| MF | Abdourahmani Rukundo | (1999-05-07) 7 May 1999 (age 25) | 0 | 0 | Amagaju | v. Burkina Faso; 13 October 2024 |
| MF | Gaël Bigirimana | (1993-10-22) 22 October 1993 (age 31) | 23 | 0 | Dungannon Swifts | v. Seychelles; 11 June 2024 |
| MF | Irakoze Donasiyano | (1998-02-03) 3 February 1998 (age 27) | 3 | 0 | Oakland Roots | v. Seychelles; 11 June 2024 |
| MF | Jamir Naudts | (2001-05-13) 13 May 2001 (age 23) | 3 | 0 | Feyenoord | v. Seychelles; 11 June 2024 |
| FW | Hussein Shabani | (1990-06-26) 26 June 1990 (age 34) | 29 | 2 | AS Kigali | v. Burkina Faso; 13 October 2024 |
| FW | Richard Kirongozi Bazombwa | (2000-06-13) 13 June 2000 (age 24) | 6 | 0 | Bumamuru | v. Burkina Faso; 13 October 2024 |
| MF | Elvis Kamsoba | (1996-06-27) 27 June 1996 (age 28) | 6 | 0 | PSS Sleman | v. Senegal; 9 September 2024 |
| $^{DEC}$ 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. $^{WIT}$ Withdrew from the squad $^{SUS}$ Suspended from the national team, red or yellow cards. |||||||

## Player records

    As of 29 December 2024
    Players in bold are still active with Burundi.

## Competitive record
### FIFA World Cup

| FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record |
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
| 1930 to 1962 | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium |
| 1966 and 1970 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member |
| 1974 to 1990 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation |
| 1994 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 1998 | Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2002 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| 2014 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| 2022 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2026 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 |
| 2030 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2034 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | | 0/13 | | | | | | | 26 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 27 | 34 |

### Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record :
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
| 1957 to 1962 | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium |
| 1963 to 1972 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1974 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1976 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1978 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1980 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1982 to 1992 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1994 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1996 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1998 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2000 to 2017 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2019 | Group stage | 22nd | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 2021 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 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 |
| 2025 | 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 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2029 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | Group stage | 1/34 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 |

### African Nations Championship

African Nations Championship record :
| Appearances: 1 |||||||||
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
| 2009 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2011 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2014 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| 2016 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2020 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2022 | 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 | Group stage | 1/7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |

### CECAFA Cup
## Honours
### Regional

* CECAFA Cup
** Runners-up (1): 2004