Burundi national football team

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

Burundi

Nickname(s)	Intamba Les Hirondelles The Chayfs (The Swallows)
Association	Fédération de Football du Burundi (FBF) (Ishirahamwe ry'umupira w'amaguru ry'Uburundi)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	CECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coach	Patrick Sangwa
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 Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	140 2 (7 October 2026)
Highest	96 (August 1993)
Lowest	160 (July 1998)
First international
Uganda 7–0 Burundi (Kampala, Uganda; 9 October 1964)
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)
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)

The Burundi national football team (Kirundi: Umurwi nserukira gihugu w'umupira w'amaguru w'u Burundi), nicknamed The Fighting Swallows (French: Les Hirondelles en Guerre; 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.

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

Kit provider	Period
Adidas	1995–1998
Lotto	1998–1999
Adidas	2000–2006
Puma	2006–2008
Adidas	2008–2011
Erreà	2011-2014
Adidas	2014–2018
Garman	2019–2020
Macron	2021-2022
Erreà	2022-23
Mastia	2023
Erreà	2024
Wanaw	2025–present

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 Intwari 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 Intwari Stadium, the Burundian supporters used to be 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. In 2022, the stadium underwent renovation project increasing its capacity to 22,000 seats.

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

2026

Chad v Burundi

27 March 2027 AFCON qualification	Chad	0–4	Burundi	N'Djamena, Chad
14:00 UTC+1		Report	Liongola 6' Kanakimana 32' Mpawenimana 63' Girumugisha 74'	Stadium: Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno Referee: Ailton Carmelino (Angola)

Burundi v Chad

31 March 2027 AFCON qualification	Burundi	4–0	Chad	Bujumbura, Burundi
15:00 UTC+2	Kanakimana 14', 22' Girumugisha 71' Mpawenimana 80'	Report		Stadium: Intwari Stadium Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)

Morocco v Burundi

26 May Friendly	Morocco	5–0	Burundi	Salé, Morocco
18:00 UTC+1	El Kaabi 59', 63' Bentayeb 71' Benjdida 80', 90'	Report		Stadium: Mohammed VI Football Complexe Attendance: 0 (BCD)

Togo v Burundi

25 September 2027 AFCON qualification	Togo	1–0	Burundi	Lomé, Togo
18:00 UTC+0	Karim 19'			Stadium: Kégué Stadium

Burundi v Algeria

29 September 2027 AFCON qualification	Burundi	2–2	Algeria	Bujumbura, Burundi
15:00 UTC+0	Chaïbi 5' (o.g.) Girumugisha 12'		Belloumi 30' Boulbina 63'	Stadium: Intwari Stadium

Zambia v Burundi

11 November 2027 AFCON qualification	Zambia	v	Burundi	TBD, Zambia
TBD				Stadium: TBD

Burundi v Zambia

15 November 2027 AFCON qualification	Burundi	v	Zambia	TBD, Burundi
TBD				Stadium: TBD

2027

Burundi v Togo

24 March 2027 AFCON qualification	Burundi	v	Togo	TBD, Burundi
TBD				Stadium: TBD

Algeria v Burundi

28 March 2027 AFCON qualification	Algeria	v	Burundi	TBD, Algeria
TBD				Stadium: TBD

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)
• Patrick Sangwa Mayani (2024-present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up to the squad for the friendly matches against Morocco and Equatorial Guinea on 26 May and 4 June 2026, respectively.

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
	1GK	Jonathan Nahimana	(1999-12-12) 12 December 1999	39	0	Vision
	1GK	Onésime Rukundo	(1999-04-09) 9 April 1999	14	0	Police
	1GK	Daniel Hakizimana	(2001-04-25) 25 April 2001	0	0	Vision
	2DF	Kevin Icoyitungiye	(2004-11-21) 21 November 2004	2	0	Aigle Noir
	2DF	Omar Moussa	(1997-08-30) 30 August 1997	21	0	Gorilla
	2DF	Claus Niyukuri	(2000-02-13) 13 February 2000	2	0	Haugesund
	2DF	Christophe Nduwarugira	(1994-06-22) 22 June 1994	48	6	Borneo Samarinda
	2DF	Akbar Muderi	(2003-04-28) 28 April 2003	11	1	Gasogi United
	2DF	Derrick Mukombozi	(1999-04-26) 26 April 1999	8	0	Fountain Gate
	2DF	Djuma Nzeyimana	(2000-01-01) 1 January 2000	0	0	Aigle Noir
	3MF	Youssouf Ndayishimiye	(1998-10-27) 27 October 1998	25	1	Nice
	3MF	Saidi Ntibazonkiza	(1987-05-01) 1 May 1987	31	13	Vital'O
	3MF	Aaron Musore	(1999-12-28) 28 December 1999	5	0	Green Eagles
	3MF	Henry Msanga	(2001-08-24) 24 August 2001	4	0	Police
	3MF	Abdoul Karim Mpawenimana	(2002-10-22) 22 October 2002	3	2	Costa do Sol
	3MF	Leonard Gakwaya	(2002-06-01) 1 June 2002	1	0	Police
	3MF	Mossi Nduwumwe	(2003-11-29) 29 November 2003	1	0	Singida Black Stars
	3MF	Emanuel Swedi	(2003-12-16) 16 December 2003	0	0	Nordic United
	4FW	Cédric Amissi	(1990-03-20) 20 March 1990	55	10	Inter Star
	4FW	Jordi Liongola	(2000-05-17) 17 May 2000	11	0	Sheffield Wednesday
	4FW	Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana	(1997-11-21) 21 November 1997	22	5	Jeddah
	4FW	Bienvenue Kanakimana	(1999-12-28) 28 December 1999	21	3	Zbrojovka Brno
	4FW	Jean-Claude Girumugisha	(2004-09-18) 18 September 2004	10	1	Al Hilal
	4FW	Vancy Mabanza	(2000-11-27) 27 November 2000	0	0	Lokeren
	4FW	Franck Nduwimana	(2002-04-26) 26 April 2002	0	0	Gorilla

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	Frédéric Nsabiyumva (captain)	(1995-04-26) 26 April 1995	48	1	Västerås	v. Chad; 31 March 2026
MF	Abedi Bigirimana	(2002-01-01) 1 January 2002	19	4	Rayon Sports	v. Chad; 31 March 2026
MF	Elie Mokono	(1994-02-23) 23 February 1994	10	1	Singida Fountain Gate	v. Chad; 31 March 2026
MF	Parfait Bizoza	(1999-03-03) 3 March 1999	0	0	Haugesund	v. Chad; 31 March 2026
FW	Asman Ndikumana	(1999-06-10) 10 June 1999	8	2	Rayon Sports	v. Chad; 31 March 2026
FW	Abdi Ineza	(2004-12-12) 12 December 2004	1	0	Ghazl El Mahalla	v. Chad; 31 March 2026

Player records

As of 14 October 2025

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	Christophe Nduwarugira	54	7	2012–present
4	Fiston Abdul Razak	53	19	2009–present
5	Frédéric Nsabiyumva	52	1	2013–present
6	Shassiri Nahimana	51	2	2013–present
7	Gaël Duhayindavyi	50	2	2011–2019
8	Hassan Hakizimana	46	1	2007–2014
	Pierre Kwizera	46	3	2009–2019
	Jonathan Nahimana	46	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	Banga Lewis Kubi	11	16	0.69	1998–2004
5	Cédric Amissi	10	56	0.18	2009–2023
6	Jospin Nshimirimana	8	15	0.53	2020–present
	Papa Claude Nahimana	8	29	0.28	2007–2013
8	Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana	7	27	0.26	2017–present
	Christophe Nduwarugira	7	54	0.13	2012–present
10	Amissi Tambwe	6	25	0.24	2011–2020

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										10	3	1	6	13	13
2030	To be determined									To be determined
2034
Total		0/13								32	10	6	16	32	41

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
2024
Total	Group stage	1/8	3	1	1	1	4	4

CECAFA Cup

Main article: CECAFA Cup

Honours

Regional

• CECAFA Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 2004

External links

• Burundi Football Federation (in French)
• Burundi at CAF
• Burundi at FIFA