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2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Group B preview

By Liam Bekker

12 April 2019, Egypt, Giza: The group stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations are seen displayed on the screen during the draw for the championship, scheduled to take place in Egypt between 21 June and 19 July 2019, at the Pyramids of Giza. Photo: Ahmed Ramadan/dpa (Photo by Ahmed Ramadan/picture alliance via Getty Images)
12 April 2019, Egypt, Giza: The group stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations are seen displayed on the screen during the draw for the championship, scheduled to take place in Egypt between 21 June and 19 July 2019, at the Pyramids of Giza. Photo: Ahmed Ramadan/dpa (Photo by Ahmed Ramadan/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
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DAKAR, SENEGAL – JUNE 13: 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group K game between Senegal and Burundi is played at Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar, Senegal on June 13, 2015. (Photo by Cemil Oksuz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
DAKAR, SENEGAL – JUNE 13: 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group K game between Senegal and Burundi is played at Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar, Senegal on June 13, 2015. (Photo by Cemil Oksuz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

Burundi

The second of the three nations making their Africa Cup of Nations debut is Burundi who are also the lowest ranked nation taking part in the tournament. Despite their lowly status, they were one of the five nations to complete the qualification stage unbeaten.

Qualification

Burundi took the pragmatic approach to qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations by beating fellow minnows South Sudan twice and taking a point from all four of their matches against the bigger soccer nations, Mali and Gabon.

Olivier Niyungeko’s side were one of the surprise packages during the qualification stages where they outscored all of their Group C opponents with 11 goals. Fiston Abdul Razak was responsible for six of those goals, including four in the away win against South Sudan. Only Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo scored more goals during qualifying.

The Squad

Burundi arrive with one of the lesser-known squads at the Africa Cup of Nations. European audiences will recognise Hibernian’s Gael Bigirimana and Stoke’s Saido Berahino but there is little else on show as far as big-name players go.

That’s not to say there’s a lack of quality in the squad. The likes of Abdul Razak and 18-year old Mohamed Amissi are two players to keep an eye on while veteran striker Selemani Ndikumana is a match-winner on his day. There will be a noticeable void in the squad though, following the untimely death of Faty Papy. The midfielder passed away earlier in the year after collapsing on the pitch during a match in eSwatini.

Key player: Abdoul Razak

Berahino might be the only household name in the Burundi squad but the Stoke striker is far from being the most important. That honour belongs to Fiston Abdul Razak whose goals were vital in the nation reaching the AFCON tournament.

Group C preview. dark. Next

With 18 international goals to his name, he is Burundi’s all-time leading goalscorer and will look to link up with Berahino in front of goal. If the pair are able to find their scoring boots, particularly against Madagascar, Burundi might be in with a chance of sneaking through to the knockout stages.

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