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NIGERIA’S AFCON 1ST OPPONENTS, BURUNDI REVEAL SQUAD FOR HISTORIC 1ST AFCON APPEARANCE

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When Burundi take on Super Eagles next week Saturday, it will be the country’s first ever match in the continental premier competition.

But www.sportsvillagesquare.com recalls that Nigeria had in 1999 played an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Burundi. The star-studded Nigerian side only struggled to a 2-0 win in the first of the two matches the team ever played at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.

The match was later cancelled, as Nigeria became a co-host of the 2000 tournament.

Ahead of the next weekend’s clash, Burundi’s coach,  Olivier Niyungeko has announced his final team for the tournament.

Burundi have made history after reaching their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations finals finishing ahead of South Sudan and Gabon in the qualifiers’ Group C to qualify along with Mali who lead the group.

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The squad containes a lot of unknown names for football fans and followers, with that said it featured former Stoke City striker Saido Berahino.

Burundi full squad:

Goalkeepers: Jonathan Nahimana, Justin Ndikumana, Arthyr Mac Arakaza

DefendersFrederic Nsabiyumva, Moussa Omar, David Nshimirimana, Ngando Omar, Christophe Nduwarugira, Karim Nizigiyimana

MidfieldersPierrot Kwizera, Gael Bigirimana, Gael Duhayindavyi, Moustapha Francis, Enock Nsabumukama, Shassir Nahimana

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StrikersFiston Abdoul-Razak, Saido Berahino, Mohamed Amissi, Cedric Amisi, Shabani Hussein, Elvis Kamsoba, Laudit Mavugo, Selemani Ndikumana.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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