Burundi Vs Burkina Faso

Week four of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers is set to kick off this Sunday evening, with Burundi taking on Burkina Faso at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. While both nations might have preferred the comfort of home ground advantage, neither Burundi nor Burkina Faso has a stadium that meets FIFA standards for international competitions, which has forced them to host their 'home' fixtures this month in the Ivorian capital. This will add an interesting dimension to the match, as neither team will enjoy the familiarity or support of playing on home soil.

Match Preview

For Burundi, this AFCON qualification campaign represents their 11th attempt to make it to Africa’s most prestigious football tournament. Historically, success has been elusive for Les Hirondelles, as they have only qualified once for the main draw, in the 2019 edition of the competition. During that tournament, their journey ended in disappointment after a winless group stage exit. The memories of that campaign will undoubtedly be on the minds of their supporters, but there is a sense of optimism that they might finally break through once more and establish themselves as regular contenders on the African stage.

Burundi started their current qualification journey in fine form, securing a hard-fought 3-2 away win against Malawi last month. That victory gave them a strong foundation on which to build, but they quickly ran into trouble in their following match. Facing African football powerhouse Senegal just four days later, Burundi suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat. It was a challenging fixture against one of the continent’s most dominant teams, and although they came away empty-handed, the Swallows showed resilience and remained hopeful heading into the subsequent fixtures.

Last week, Burundi faced Burkina Faso in a match that started on a high note but quickly spiraled out of control. Bienvenue Kanakimana gave the Swallows an early lead, finding the back of the net within the first five minutes of play. It seemed that Burundi might pull off an upset, but their defense collapsed before the half-time whistle. Burkina Faso capitalized on some poor defending and scored three goals before the interval. Just three minutes into the second half, the Stallions added a fourth goal, extinguishing Burundi’s hopes of a comeback.

Despite the heavy 4-1 loss, Burundi head coach Etienne Ndayiragije will likely take some positives from the performance. Most notably, his side managed to record more shots on goal than Burkina Faso, even though they only held 40% of possession throughout the match. This statistic highlights Burundi’s ability to create opportunities, but their defensive frailties were glaring and will need to be addressed if they are to bounce back in the return fixture.

The defeat marked Burundi's third consecutive loss to Burkina Faso in international play, a streak in which they have conceded a total of nine goals while scoring just twice. This troubling history against the Stallions looms large over Sunday’s match, and Burundi will need to produce a much-improved performance if they are to reverse their fortunes.

Burkina Faso’s Recent AFCON Success

While Burundi’s AFCON journey has been one of struggle and occasional heartbreak, Burkina Faso has enjoyed far more consistent success in recent years. Over the past decade, the Stallions have become regular fixtures at the Africa Cup of Nations, missing out on the tournament only once since 2013. Their most recent AFCON appearance, earlier this year in Ivory Coast, saw them reach the round of 16, continuing a trend of strong showings. In the 2021 edition, they finished fourth, while in 2017, they claimed the bronze medal in Gabon.

Burkina Faso’s rise in African football has been driven by a mix of tactical discipline, talented players, and the steady leadership of their coaching staff. Since taking over the head coaching role in March, Brama Traore has built on that foundation. His tenure began with a loss to Egypt, but he has since gone unbeaten in the last four matches, securing two draws and two victories in the process. This string of results has put the Stallions in a commanding position in their qualification group, where they currently lead with seven points and boast a +5 goal difference, the best in their group.

One of the defining features of Traore’s reign so far has been Burkina Faso’s attacking prowess. Under his guidance, the Stallions have scored in every match, accumulating eight goals across their AFCON qualification campaign—second only to Algeria in the tournament. The ability to find the back of the net consistently is a testament to the offensive talent in the squad, with players like Bertrand Traore and Dango Ouattara leading the charge. Bertrand Traore, in particular, has been a key figure, with his experience in Europe’s top leagues providing a steady influence for the team.

Key Players and Tactical Battle

For Burundi, much of their attacking play will likely go through Bienvenue Kanakimana, who has already made his mark on the qualification campaign. His early goal against Burkina Faso last week showed his instinct for getting into dangerous positions, and he will need to be at his best if Burundi is to break down a Burkina Faso defense that has proven difficult to breach. Kanakimana’s ability to exploit spaces and his finishing will be crucial in helping Burundi overcome their defensive weaknesses and keep pace with their more illustrious opponents.

In midfield, Abedi Bigirimana will be another pivotal figure for the Swallows. His leadership and ball distribution could help Burundi control the tempo of the match, especially if they find themselves chasing the game. Bigirimana’s experience playing in Europe, combined with his vision and composure on the ball, makes him a vital cog in Burundi’s system. His influence will be needed if Burundi hopes to match Burkina Faso in what promises to be a highly competitive midfield battle.

On the other hand, Burkina Faso’s strength lies in their overall balance and depth across the pitch. Bertrand Traore, the team captain, will be instrumental in leading Burkina Faso’s offensive efforts. His ability to drift wide and cut inside, coupled with his eye for goal, will keep the Burundian defense on high alert. Traore’s leadership has been vital in maintaining team cohesion, and his combination play with the likes of Issa Kaboré and Dango Ouattara gives Burkina Faso multiple attacking outlets.

Defensively, Burkina Faso has shown resilience throughout the qualification campaign. Their backline, led by Edmond Tapsoba, has been able to absorb pressure and prevent opposition attacks from translating into goals. Tapsoba’s reading of the game, physical presence, and timing in challenges have made him one of the standout defenders in African football. His ability to marshal the defense will be key in keeping Burundi’s sporadic attacks at bay.

Historical Context and Stakes

Burundi’s footballing history, though not as decorated as their upcoming opponents, is marked by sporadic moments of promise. Their sole qualification for AFCON in 2019 was a monumental achievement for a nation that has often been overshadowed by their more established African neighbors. However, their group-stage exit without a win highlighted the gulf between them and Africa’s top footballing nations. Their performance in these qualifiers will be critical in showing that 2019 was not a one-off, and another strong qualification campaign could signal their arrival on the continental stage as a team to be taken seriously.

For Burkina Faso, the 2025 AFCON qualifiers are an opportunity to further solidify their status as one of Africa’s rising football powers. Their recent tournament performances, particularly their fourth-place finish in 2021, have cemented their place among the continent’s elite. With a core of talented players and a cohesive tactical approach, the Stallions will be aiming for more than just qualification. They will have their sights set on making a deep run in Morocco and potentially contending for the title.

Final Thoughts

As the 2025 AFCON qualifiers enter their fourth week, both Burundi and Burkina Faso find themselves at a crucial juncture in their campaigns. For Burundi, the match represents an opportunity to right the wrongs of their previous encounter and keep their qualification hopes alive. For Burkina Faso, it is a chance to continue their upward trajectory and edge closer to securing their place in Morocco.

While history and form favor Burkina Faso, Burundi will be eager to prove that they can compete at this level. The neutral venue of Abidjan adds an intriguing wrinkle to the match, as both teams will need to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings. Ultimately, it will come down to which side can capitalize on their chances and impose their game plan over the 90 minutes. The stakes could not be higher, as both nations look to take another step towards the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.