S. OchiengSaido Berahino headlines strong Burundi squad ahead of Harambee Stars friendly match
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 12.03.23. | 11:55
The former West Brom and Stoke foward is expected to captain the side.
The Burundi National Team Head-Coach Etienne Ndayiragije named a strong 30-man squad as his side prepares to face Kenya and Indonesia in two friendly matches during the March international break.
In the side consisting of four goalkeepers, eight defenders, and nine midfielders and forwards, the head coach has included former English Premier League (EPL) player Saido Berahino who headlines the squad that only has five local-based footballers.
Berahino, who played for West Brom and Stoke City in the EPL, is currently attached at Cyprus' top tier side AEL Limassol.
💥 Abahamagawe n'umumenyereza Étienne Ndayiragije azifashisha mu nkino za kivandimwe tuzokina n'umugwi Nserukira gihugu wa KENYA na INDONÉSIE. pic.twitter.com/uo597uWKtU
— Equipe Nationale de Football du Burundi (@intambazacu) March 9, 2023
Former Gor Mahia defender Karim Nizigiyimana and former Bandari custodian Justin Ndikumana have also been included in the squad named as Kaizer Chiefs forward Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana also gets a spot in the team.
Youssouf Nyange Ndayishimiye from French top tier side Nice has also been called up to the squad alongside midfielder Saidi Ntibazonkiza from Tanzanian giants Simba.
Burundi Captain Karim Nizigiyimana has part ways with GOR MAHIA, he has been with us for 4 years and Won 3 league titles. He served us well. #sirkal pic.twitter.com/xZ8PQORHaB
— GOR MAHIA (@GormahiaLive) November 30, 2018
According to Football Kenya Federation, Harambee Stars are scheduled to play two friendly matches against Burundi on 25 and 28 March but there lies confusion after Burundi announced they will face Indonesia on 25.
The selected Harambee Stars team which is yet to be named by head coach Engin Firat is set to enter residential camp on March 17 to start their preparations.
The games will mark the first time Kenya are playing an international match since November 2021 owing to the FIFA suspension they had been serving.
Full Burundi Squad
Goalkeepers
Justin Ndikumana - Coastal Union, Tanzania
Fabien Mutombora - Vipers SC, Uganda
Onesime Rukundo – Messager, Burundi
Dieudonne Ntibahezwa – Flambeau, Burundi
Defenders
Youssouf Nyange Ndayishimiye – Nice, France
Frédéric Nsabiyumva – Vasteras, Sweden
Rashid Léon Harerimana – Bumamuru, Burundi
Marco Weymans – Beerschot, Belgium
Collins Muhindo – Aigle Noir, Burundi
Karim Nizigiymana – Gasogi United, Rwanda
Christophe Nduwarugira – Academico de Viseu, Portugal
Derrick Mukombozi – Nkana, Zambia
Midfielders
Jospin Nshimirimana - Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey
Saidi Ntibazonkiza – Simba, Tanzania
Ismail Nshimirimana – Kiyovu, Rwanda
Emmanuel Manou Mvuyekure – KMC FC, Tanzania
Steve Nzigamasabo – KMC FC, Tanzania
Abedi Bigirimana – Kiyovu, Rwanda
Omar M - Lyngby Boldklub, Denmark
Shassir Nahimana – Bandari, Kenya
Pacifique Niyongabire – Valour, Canada
Forward
Saido Berahino - AEL Limassol, Cyprus
Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana - Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa
Shabani Hussein - AS Kigali, Rwanda
Mohammed Amissi - Uniao D'Leiria, Belgium
Musore Aaron - Green Eagles, Zambia
Bazomba Richard – Bumamuru, Burundi
Amissi Cedric - Al Qadisiya FC, Saudi Arabia
Elvis Kamsoba - Sepahan FC, Iran
Irakoze Donasiyano - Oakland FC, USA
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