World Cup Qualifying - Africa | Group Stage

Mar 21, 2025 at 7pm UK

Stade d'Honneur

Burundi vs Ivory Coast

Match preview

After a turbulent end to the 2024 campaign, Burundi will be looking to turn their fortunes around when they return to action in the World Cup qualifying race on Friday.

Les Hirondelles ended their 2024 campaign with back-to-back defeats at the hands of Uganda in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header in December.

Burundi went down 1-0 to the Cranes at the Hamz Stadium on Boxing Day, three days before losing by the same scoreline thanks to a 91st-minute winner from 24-year-old striker Hakim Kiwanuka.

It was an echo of their underwhelming campaign in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where they opened with a 3-2 win over Malawi in September 2024 before picking up just one point from their subsequent five Group L matches to finish bottom of the standings.

Patrick Sangwa's men now turn their attention to the World Cup qualifiers, where they have shown great promise, winning two and drawing one of their four Group F matches - their only defeat coming in November 2023 when they were beaten 2-1 by Gabon at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.

Burundi, who are currently on a seven-match unbeaten run, have taken seven points from a possible 12 to sit third in the group, two points behind second-placed Gabon and three behind Friday's visitors.

As for Côte d'Ivoire, they return to qualifying as one of only nine unbeaten teams in the competition, having won three and drawn one, scoring 12 goals and keeping four clean sheets so far.

After thrashing Seychelles 9-0 in their Group F opener in November 2023, the Elephants beat Gambia 2-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium before edging out Gabon 1-0 last June thanks to a first-half strike from veteran midfielder Seko Fofana.

However, Côte d'Ivoire's 100 per cent record in World Cup qualifying came to an end three days later when they were held to a disappointing goalless draw by a dogged Kenya side at the Bingu National Stadium.

Emerse Fae's men go into Friday's clash on the back of a penalty shoot-out defeat to Burkina Faso in the 2025 CHAN play-off on 28 December, when Les Etalons overturned a first-leg deficit to win 2-0 on penalties.

Côte d'Ivoire will be looking to kick off their 2025 campaign on a high as they move closer to a fourth World Cup appearance against an opponent who have lost each of the last two meetings between the two nations since their first encounter in March 2003.

Recent Performance

Burundi World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:WLDW

Burundi form (all competitions):LLDLLL

Ivory Coast World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:WWWD

Ivory Coast form (all competitions):LLWWWL

Team News

Burundi have named a 25-man squad for their upcoming matches against Côte d'Ivoire and Seychelles, with head coach Sangwa bringing back several experienced players.

Norway-based midfielder Patrick Bizoza is back in the squad for the first time in five years, while Beerschot midfielder Marco Weymans makes his first appearance for Les Hirondelles since 2023.

The biggest news for Côte d'Ivoire is the return of striker Sebastian Haller, who has missed the last three internationals through injury, while Jean-Philippe Gbamin makes his first appearance since March 2023.

Manchester United's Amad Diallo is absent through injury, while Maxwel Cornet, who has scored two goals and provided an assist in six appearances for Genoa since joining from West Ham United, has been overlooked by Fae.

The 41-year-old has included a number of familiar faces in his 25-man squad, including Villareal's Nicolas Pepe, Brighton and Hove Albion's Simon Adingra and 28-year-old Franck Kessie.

There is also a new face in the Elephants' squad as AJ Auxerre defender Clement Akpa earns his first senior call-up after representing the country at U-23 level.

Possible starting lineup

Burundi possible starting lineup:

Nkurunziza; Weymans, Ndayishimye, Nsabiyumva, Nduwarugira; Liongola, Msanga, Bigirimana, Bizoza; Niyongabire, Mvuka

Ivory Coast possible starting lineup:

Fofana; Doue, Diomande, Ndicka, Singo; Sangare, Kessie; Adingra, Aholou, Pepe; Haller