Burundi will target a second successive home win in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they host Namibia in Bujumbura on Saturday for a Group K clash. Kick-off at the Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium will be at 15h00 CAT.

The Swallows come into the clash placed second on the standings on three points, level with third placed Niger and three points behind leaders Senegal. The Brave Warriors, meanwhile, have zero points.

Burundi claimed a 2-0 win over Niger in their last qualifier, with goals from Fiston Abdul-Razak and Abbas Nshimirimana securing three points in Bujumbura following a 3-1 loss away to Senegal in Dakar in their opening Group K match.

Namibia’s results were a 1-0 loss away to Niger, followed by a 2-0 reverse at the hands of the Teranga Lions in Windhoek, leaving them in dire straits as far as their hopes of reaching Gabon 2017 are concerned.

Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti is realistic about his team’s chances of finishing top of the group ahead of Senegal, but believes that they can beat both Burundi and Niger to the runners-up spot.

“The objective is that I really expect us to get a positive result in Burundi and in the return leg at home,” Mannetti said.

“I don’t think we can expect to beat Senegal to qualification for the Nations Cup finals, but with due respect to Burundi and Niger, there is no compromise.

“If we cannot get a result against Senegal, then we must make sure we get the results against Burundi and Niger and have a respectable finish in this group.”

This will be the first official international match between Burundi and Namibia, according to FIFA’s statistics database.

Chadian referee Idriss Biani will take of the match in Bujumbura. The return game will be played in Windhoek next Tuesday

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com