Burundi national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Burundi women's 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 FIFA 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.

Burundi

Nickname(s)	Intamba Les Hirondelles The Chayfs (The Swallows)
Association	Ishirahamwe ry'umupira w'amaguru ry'Uburundi
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	CECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coach	Patrick Sangwa Mayani
Captain	Frédéric Nsabiyumva
Most caps	Karim Nizigiyimana (66)
Top scorer	Fiston Abdul Razak (19)
Home stadium	Intwari Stadium
FIFA code	BDI
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	140 1 (3 April 2025)[1]
Highest	96 (August 1993)
Lowest	160 (July 1998)
First international
Uganda 7–0 Burundi  (Kampala, Uganda; 9 October 1964)[2]
Biggest win
Burundi 7–0 Djibouti  (Bujumbura, Burundi; 11 March 2017)  Burundi 8–1 Seychelles  (Moroni, Comoros; 4 September 2021)
Biggest defeat
Congo 8–0 Burundi  (Cameroon; 24 December 1977)[2]
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	1 (first in 2019)
Best result	Group stage (2019)
African Nations Championship
Appearances	1 (first in 2014)
Best result	Group stage (2014)
CECAFA Cup
Appearances	14 (first in 1999)
Best result	Runners-up (2004)

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)

Saido Berahino scored on his international debut for Burundi in September 2018

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

Madagascar  v  Burundi

22 March Friendly	Madagascar	1–0	Burundi	Antananarivo, Madagascar
13:00 UTC+3	Raveloson 19'	Report		Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium

Burundi  v  Botswana

25 March Friendly	Burundi	0–0	Botswana	Antananarivo, Madagascar
13:00 UTC+3		Report		Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium

Kenya  v  Burundi

7 June 2026 World Cup qualification	Kenya	1–1	Burundi	Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2	Abuya 72'	Report	Abdallah 85'	Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Referee: Jean Ouattara (Burkina Faso)

Seychelles  v  Burundi

11 June 2026 World Cup qualification	Seychelles	1–3	Burundi	Berkane, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1	Hoareau 78'	Report	Abdallah 34' Kanakimana 62', 69'	Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium Referee: Mohamed Ali Moussa (Niger)

Malawi  v  Burundi

5 September 2025 AFCON qualification	Malawi	2-3	Burundi	Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2	Kawonga 31' L. Nkhoma 75'	Report	Idana 22' (o.g.) Girumugisha 33' Eldhino 87'	Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Referee: Ibrahim Kalilou Traoré (Ivory Coast)

Burundi  v  Senegal

9 September 2025 AFCON qualification	Burundi	0–1	Senegal	Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2		Report	I. Sarr 71' (pen.)	Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Referee: Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour (Egypt)

Burkina Faso  v  Burundi

10 October 2025 AFCON qualification	Burkina Faso	4–1	Burundi	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
19:00 UTC+0	D. Ouattara 33', 44' Bansé 34' Dayo 49'	Report	Kanakimana 4'	Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium Referee: Abdulrazg Ahmed (Libya)

Burundi  v  Burkina Faso

13 October 2025 AFCON qualification	Burundi	0–2	Burkina Faso	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
16:00 UTC+0		Report	Konaté 5' B. Traoré 90+4' (pen.)	Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Referee: Mohamed Athoumani (Comoros)

Burundi  v  Malawi

14 November 2025 AFCON qualification	Burundi	0–0	Malawi	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
14:00 UTC+0		Report		Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Attendance: 313 Referee: Abdoulaye Manet (Guinea)

Senegal  v  Burundi

18 November 2025 AFCON qualification	Senegal	2-0	Burundi	Dakar, Senegal
14:00 UTC+0	Diarra 35', 51'	Report		Stadium: Diamniadio Olympic Stadium Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)

2025

Burundi  v  Ivory Coast

21 March 2026 World Cup qualification	Burundi	0–1	Ivory Coast	Meknes, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1		Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)	Guessand 16'	Stadium: Honneur Stadium Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco)

Burundi  v  Seychelles

25 March 2026 World Cup qualification	Burundi	5–0	Seychelles	Meknes, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1		Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)		Stadium: Honneur Stadium

Ivory Coast  v  Burundi

September 2026 World Cup qualification

Ivory Coast

v

Burundi

Gambia  v  Burundi

September 2026 World Cup qualification

Gambia

v

Burundi

Burundi  v  Kenya

October 2026 World Cup qualification

Burundi

v

Kenya

Gabon  v  Burundi

October 2026 World Cup qualification

Gabon

v

Burundi

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 (2023–2024)

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.^[3]

Caps and goals are correct as of 29 December 2024, after the match against Uganda.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Jonathan Nahimana	(1999-12-12) 12 December 1999 (age 25)	39	0	Namungo
16	1GK	Mattéo Nkurunziza	(2004-06-02) 2 June 2004 (age 20)	5	0	RWD Molenbeek
23	1GK	Onésime Rukundo	(1999-04-09) 9 April 1999 (age 26)	14	0	Police
	1GK	Aladin Bizimana	(2000-04-01) 1 April 2000 (age 25)	1	0	Union Saint-Gilloise U23
3	2DF	Marco Weymans	(1997-07-09) 9 July 1997 (age 27)	10	0	Beerschot
13	2DF	Kevin Icoyitungiye	(2004-11-21) 21 November 2004 (age 20)	2	0	Aigle Noir
15	2DF	Omar Moussa	(1997-08-30) 30 August 1997 (age 27)	21	0	Gorilla
18	2DF	Claus Niyukuri	(2000-02-13) 13 February 2000 (age 25)	2	0	Haugesund
19	2DF	Frédéric Nsabiyumva (captain)	(1995-04-26) 26 April 1995 (age 30)	48	1	Västerås
22	2DF	Christophe Nduwarugira	(1994-06-22) 22 June 1994 (age 30)	48	6	Borneo Samarinda
	2DF	Keita Bukuru	(2005-04-05) 5 April 2005 (age 20)	10	0	Aigle Noir
	2DF	Derrick Mukombozi	(1999-04-26) 26 April 1999 (age 26)	8	0	Namungo
2	3MF	Henry Msanga	(2001-08-24) 24 August 2001 (age 23)	4	0	Police
6	3MF	Trésor Mossi	(2001-08-28) 28 August 2001 (age 23)	9	0	Sumgayit
8	3MF	Elie Mokono	(1994-02-23) 23 February 1994 (age 31)	10	1	Singida Fountain Gate
10	3MF	Shassiri Nahimana	(1993-08-05) 5 August 1993 (age 31)	46	2	Pamba
11	3MF	Jordi Liongola	(2000-05-17) 17 May 2000 (age 25)	11	0	La Louvière
14	3MF	Youssouf Ndayishimiye	(1998-10-27) 27 October 1998 (age 26)	25	1	Nice
20	3MF	Parfait Bizoza	(1999-03-03) 3 March 1999 (age 26)	0	0	Haugesund
21	3MF	Abedi Bigirimana	(2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 23)	19	4	Police
	3MF	Akbar Muderi	(2003-04-28) 28 April 2003 (age 22)	11	1	Gasogi United
	3MF	Moussa Madjaliwa	(1992-04-12) 12 April 1992 (age 33)	7	0	Rayon Sports
	3MF	Léonard Gakwaya	(2002-06-01) 1 June 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Bugesera
	3MF	Richard Ndayishimiye	(2004-01-01) 1 January 2004 (age 21)	0	0	Rayon Sports
4	4FW	Pacifique Niyongabire	(2000-03-15) 15 March 2000 (age 25)	10	1	Tampa Bay Rowdies
5	4FW	Mohamed Amissi	(2000-08-03) 3 August 2000 (age 24)	23	0	Modern Sport
7	4FW	Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana	(1997-11-21) 21 November 1997 (age 27)	22	5	USM Alger
9	4FW	Sudi Abdallah	(2000-01-05) 5 January 2000 (age 25)	10	3	PSIS Semarang
12	4FW	Bienvenue Kanakimana	(1999-12-28) 28 December 1999 (age 25)	21	3	Jablonec
17	4FW	Jean-Claude Girumugisha	(2004-09-18) 18 September 2004 (age 20)	10	1	Al Hilal
	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	(1998-02-28) 28 February 1998 (age 27)	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 21)	2	0	RWD 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 38)	31	13	Simba	v.  Burkina Faso; 13 October 2024
MF	Abdourahmani Rukundo	(1999-05-07) 7 May 1999 (age 26)	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 24)	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)	9	0	Balzan	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^[4]

Players in bold are still active with Burundi.

Most appearances

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Karim Nizigiyimana	66	0	2004–2023
2	Cédric Amissi	56	10	2009–2023
3	Fiston Abdul Razak	53	19	2009–present
4	Gaël Duhayindavyi	50	2	2011–2019
5	Christophe Nduwarugira	48	6	2012–present
	Frédéric Nsabiyumva	48	1	2013–present
7	Hassan Hakizimana	46	1	2007–2014
	Pierre Kwizera	46	3	2009–2019
	Shassiri Nahimana	46	2	2013–present
10	Jonathan Nahimana	39	0	2017–present

Top goalscorers

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Fiston Abdul Razak	19	53	0.36	2009–present
2	Saidi Ntibazonkiza	13	36	0.36	2004–present
3	Selemani Ndikumana	12	33	0.36	2003–2019
4	Cédric Amissi	10	56	0.18	2009–2023
5	Jospin Nshimirimana	8	14	0.57	2020–present
	Papa Claude Nahimana	8	29	0.28	2007–2013
7	Amissi Tambwe	6	25	0.24	2011–2020
	Christophe Nduwarugira	6	48	0.13	2012–present
9	Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana	5	22	0.23	2017–present
	Laudit Mavugo	5	22	0.23	2011–2019

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup 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
1966 and 1970	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1974 to 1990	Did not enter									Declined participation
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									6	3	1	2	13	7
2030										To be determined
2034
Total		0/13								28	10	6	12	32	35

Africa Cup of Nations

Main article: Burundi at the Africa Cup of Nations

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
2025
2027	To be determined
2029
Total	Group stage	1/35	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
2011
2014	Group stage	10th	3	1	1	1	4	4
2016	Did not qualify
2018
2020
2022
Total	Group stage	1/7	3	1	1	1	4	4

CECAFA Cup

Main article: CECAFA Cup

Honours

Regional

• CECAFA Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 2004