Week four of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will get underway on Sunday evening with Burundi taking on Burkina Faso at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.
With the stadiums in both these nations failing to meet FIFA standards for international competition, they have opted to play their 'home' games this month here in Abidjan.
Match preview
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Burundi are participating in their 11th AFCON qualification campaign, but have only made it to the main draw of Africa's biggest cup competition once, which was back in the 2019 edition when they were knocked out in the group stage without winning a game.
Les Hirondelles got their qualification off to a bright start, beating Malawi 3-2 on the road last month, but they failed to build on that result, losing 1-0 to African powerhouse Senegal four days later.
Last week, the Swallows flew out of the traps against Burkina Faso and took the lead inside the first five minutes of play thanks to an early Bienvenue Kanakimana goal, but some shocking defending late in the half saw them concede three goals before the interval and the Stallions pulled out of sight with a fourth only three minutes after the restart.
Despite the result, Etienne Ndayiragije would have taken a few positives from the match, the biggest likely being that his side managed to register more shots at goal than their opponents with just 40% possession across the 90.
With that result, Burundi have now lost all three matches they have ever played against Burkina Faso, conceding nine goals during that period while only scoring twice themselves.
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Meanwhile, Burkina Faso have been a regular feature at the Africa Cup of Nations over the past decade, having only failed to reach the main draw once (2019) in each of the last eight editions.
In the tournament hosted by the Ivory Coast earlier this year, the Stallions reached the round of 16, which followed a fourth-placed finish in 2021 and a bronze medal in Gabon back in the 2017 competition.
After the first three rounds of qualifying this year, Brama Traore's side are in a very strong position to book their spot in Morocco, currently leading the group with seven points and holding a healthy +5 goal difference.
Since taking up the head coaching role back in March, Traore has now overseen five competitive matches and only lost one, which was his first against Egypt, meaning he is now unbeaten in the last four, including two draws and back-to-back wins ahead of this one.
Notably, Burkina Faso have scored in every match since Traore's arrival and the eight goals they have netted in this competition to date is the second-most of any participating nation only behind Algeria.
Team News
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After a couple of howlers for the second and third goals last week, Ndayiragije made a seldom seen move, withdrawing Matteo Nkurunziza at halftime for Jonathan Nahimana, who conceded only once in the second period and will likely start this match between the sticks.
Goal-scorer Kanakimana seemed to sustain a knock late in the first half and was also replaced at the interval, which should see Richard Bazombwa Kirongozi make the starting 11 this weekend if the former is ruled out.
Benfica right-back Issa Kabore picked up two assists and was arguably Burkina Faso's best player in the last match, and he should keep his place in the backline alongside goalscorer Issoufou Dayo.
Ajax's Bertrand Traore was given the final 20 minutes off in the last match and should return to the attack from the start on Sunday, with Bournemouth forward Dango Ouattara almost certain to keep his place on the opposite flank after bagging a brace in the win.
Burundi possible starting lineup:
Nahimana; Muderi, Manirakoze, Bukuru, Musore; Mossi, Madjaliwa, Eldhino; Shabani, Kirongozi, Girumugisha
Burkina Faso possible starting lineup:
F Ouedraogo; Kabore, Dayo, Tapsoba, M Ouedraogo; Badolo, Banse, Toure; B Traore, L Traore, Ouattara
We say: Burundi 1-3 Burkina Faso
While Burundi gave Burkina Faso a major scare with that early goal last week, the Stallions were by far the better side once they got into their stride, and we are expecting them to secure another comfortable victory in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
