Sofapaka defender ready for selection in final AFCON qualifier against Morocco

Sofapaka defender David Nshimirimana is hoping to make it to the starting team when Burundi play Morocco in their final 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match.

Burundi have a herculean task of upsetting the hosts on Tuesday in order to book a slot in the finals slated for next year in Cameroon.

Nshimirimana missed their penultimate qualifier against Central Africa Republic on Friday last week played at the Heroes Stadium, Bujumbura thanks to a muscle setback. 

The match ended in a 2-2 stalemate leaving the East African country with the task of forking out a win in Rabat to seal a place in the finals for the second edition in a row.

Burundi sit third in pool E of the qualifiers with five points, one shy of Mauritania who travel to play bottom-placed Central Africa Republic in the final match.

Morocco who had already qualified after gathering an unassailable eleven points sit at the summit while Central Africa have four points.

Nshimirimana who joined the 2009 league champions in February was included in the Jimmy Ndayizeye squad which arrived in Rabat on Saturday for the match after shaking off the slight injury.

The former Buildcon defender who was part of the Swallows team that took part in the 2019 finals in Egypt has vowed to give his best and ensure they qualify from Rabat.

"I missed the Central African Republic match after feeling uncomfortable in my muscles but I am now okay and ready to give the best for the team and country," he said in a telephone interview.

Another Sofapaka player Amissi Bizimana who came in the second half against the Les Fauves will also be in contention for starting roles in the final match.