Burundi ending their latest CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on a positive note, Burundi claimed a convincing 3-1 win against Seychelles at Stade Municipal de Berkane on Tuesday night.
Seychelles saw the majority of the ball during the first 10 minutes of the match, while Burundi gathered momentum leading up to the 20th minute. With the possession count split equally midway through the first half, both sides struggled to create any notable scoring opportunities.
The score remained at 0-0 at the half-hour mark while most of the football was played in the middle of the park. However, Seychelles came close to breaking the deadlock from a set-piece situation in the 31st minute, as Elie Sopha’s glancing header forced a fingertip save from Mattéo Nkurunziza
Burundi’s pressure paid off moments after Seychelle’s best chance of the game as Sudi Abdallah got his name on the scoresheet after being picked out by Akbar Muderi en-route to goal.
The Swallows produced waves of attacks as the half came to a close which had the Pirates back pedalling on numerous occasions.
Nevertheless, Burundi managed to keep their clean sheet in tact heading into the break.
Following a period of back-and-forth action after the restart, Burundi doubled their advantage soon after the hour-mark.
With Seychelles holding a high defensive line, Elvis Kamsoba played Bienvenue Kanakimana through on goal with a well-weighted pass from inside his half, as the attacker made his way into the opposition box before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
In making Seychelles pay for lacklustre defending inside their 18-yard-area, Kanakimana doubled his tally with a finish in the 69th minute of the encounter.
Seyechelles drew one back in the 78th minute after employing a route one tactic during the closing stage of the match. Following a long ball played into the Burundi half, Brandon Labrosse found Lorenzo Hoareau inside the area with an inch perfect pass toward the six-yard box before the attacker guided the ball home from close range.
Hoareau’s effort proved to be the final bit of action from Stade Municipal de Berkane, as Burundi ran out as 3-1 winners in their fourth World Cup qualifying assignment.
Seychelles: Padayachy, Hausl, Mellie, Sopha, Payet, Cissoko (Fred 74’), Dijoux (Gamatice 46’), Raheriniaina, Hoareau, Cadeau (Joubert 74’), Henriett (Labrosse 46’)
Burundi: Manirakoze, Nkurenziza, Nihorimbere (Naudts 79’), Ntibazonkiza (Donasiyano 79’), Bigirimana, Eldhino, Bukuru, Kamsoba (Kirongozi 70’), Amissi (Kanakimana 46’), Muderi, Abdallah (Shabani 70’)
