Ex Chiefs striker leads Cup of Nations qualification bid

7 Sep 2023

SuperSport

rugby07 September 2023 14:35| © Backpage TXT

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Caleb Bonfils Bimenyimana has been chosen to spearhead his country’s bid for an upset win in Cameroon next week and first ever qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

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If Burundi avoid defeat in Garoua in the final group C qualifier on Tuesday, they will qualify for January’s tournament in the Ivory Coast alongside Namibia and leave Cameroon eliminated in what would prove one the great shocks in the history of the tournament’s qualification.

With home advantage, the powerful Indomitable Lions are runaway favourites but Burundi has a window for an upset and have picked a 24-man squad.

It also includes giant centre back Frederic Nsabiyumva, who played at Jomo Cosmos and Chippa United but is now in Sweden.

French-based central defender Youssouf Ndayishimiye makes his return after missing their last qualifier in June, which was a 3-2 victory over Namibia.

Coach Etienne Ndayiragije has kept faith in former England under-21 international Saido Berahino, despite his limited playing time at AEL Limassol in Cyprus. Berahino has only played one match since the start of the season.

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Squad

Goalkeepers: Jonathan Nahimana (Namungo, Tanzania), Justin Ndikumana (Coastal Union, Tanzania), Onesime Rukundo (Police Kibungo, Rwanda)

Defenders: Derrick Mukombozi (Namungo, Tanzania), Youssouf Ndayishimiye (Nice, France), Christophe Nduwarugira (Academico Viseu, Portugal), Issa Hubert Ndabimana (Vital‘O), Frederic Nsabiyumva (Vasteras, Sweden)

Midfielders: Cedric Amissi (unattached), Richard Bazombwa (Kiyovu Sports, Rwanda), Abedi Bigirimana (Police Kibungo, Rwanda), Bienvenue Kanakimana (MFK Vyskov, Czech Republic), Jordi Liongola (La Louviere, Belgium), Aruna Madjaliwa (Rayon Sports, Rwanda), Aaron Musore (Green Eagles, Zambia), Emmanuel Mvuyekure (Rayon Sports, Rwanda), Shasiri Nahimana (Bandari, Kenya), Tresor Ngabo (Sumgayit, Azerbaijan), Ismail Nshimirimana (APR FC, Rwanmdas), Saidi Ntibazonkiza (Simba, Tanzania)

Forwards: Saido Berahino (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Caleb Bonfils Bimenyimana (Al Ahly Benghazi, Libya), Shaban Hussein (AS Kigali, Rwanda), Pacifique Niyongabire (Valour, Canada)