Burundu set off for ‘Friday the 13th’ AFCON match against Zambia

By BENEDICT TEMBO

THE Burundian national team, the Intamba m’Urugamba or “The Fighting Swallows” were expected to arrive in Ndola yesterday for Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Zambia at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

The team listed on the Football Federation of Burundi page includes Karim Mperanyi (left winger, NAC Breda, Holland), Marco Weymans, (left-back, K. Beerschot V.A., Belgium), Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana (centre-forward, Kaizer Chiefs), Akbar Muderi (defensive midfield (Académie de Football Le Messager FC, Burundi), Henry Msanga (defensive midfield, Police FC, Rwanda) and Onesime Rukundo (goalkeeper, Police FC, Rwanda).

The squad includes Daniel Hakizimana (goalkeeper, Musongati FC, Burundi), Kevin Icoyitungiye (defender, Aigle Noir FC de Makamba, Burundi), Emmanuel Swedi (right-back, Nordic United FC (Sweden), Frédéric Nsabiyumva (centre-back, Västerås, Sweden), Jonathan Nahimana (goalkeeper, Namungo FC, Tanzania) and Karim Mpawenimana (striker, CD Costa do Sol, Mozambique).

Others are Elie Mokono (attacking midfielder, Rayon Sports, Rwanda), Mossi Nduwumwe (right winger, MC Alger, Algeria), Derrick Mkombozi (defender for Namungo FC (Tanzania), Mohamed Amissi (left winger, Vancouver FC, Canada) and Franck NNduwimana (centre-back, Kenya Commercial Bank, Kenya).

Burundi started their campaign for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Pamoja qualifiers losing 1-0 to Togo on Matchday 1 in Lomé in September after conceding an early 17th-minute goal to Karim Dermane.

On Matchday 2 in Bujumbura, they drew 2–2 with Algeria on September 29, 2026, narrowly missing out on an upset win following a late equaliser.

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