Burundi women's national football team

Last updated

Burundi
Nickname(s) Swallows (Hirondelles)
Association Football Federation of Burundi
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation CECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coachGustave Niyonkuru
Top scorer Sandrine Niyonkuru (12)
FIFA code BDI
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First colours
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Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 178 Steady2.svg (12 June 2025) [1]
Highest169 (June 2022)
Lowest178 (March – December 2024)
First international
Biggest win
Biggest defeat
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 6–0 Burundi  Flag of Burundi.svg
(Chamazi, Tanzania; 17 June 2025)
World Cup
Appearances0
Olympic Games
Appearances0
Africa Women Cup of Nations
Appearances1 (first in 2022 )
Best resultGroup stage (2022)

The Burundi women's national football team, nicknamed the Swallows (French: Hirondelles), represents Burundi in women's international football competitions. The team has competed since 2016 in matches recognised by FIFA, the sport's international governing body. A senior national team has been continually inactive, but an under-20 team has played in numerous matches. Further development of football in the country faces challenges found across Africa, including inequality and limited access to education for women. A women's football programme did not exist in Burundi until 2000, and only 455 players had registered for participation on the national level by 2006.

Contents

History

In 1985, almost no country in the world had a women's national football team. [2] [3] While the sport grew in popularity worldwide in the ensuing years, Burundi did not have an official team until more than two decades later. [3] [4] By 2009, however, Burundi had a FIFA-recognised senior national team nicknamed the Swallows and a FIFA-recognised Burundi women's national under-20 football team. [5] [6] The under-20 team played one international match in 2002, one in 2004 and one in 2006. [4]

The senior national football team has never competed in a FIFA-sanctioned fixture and has not competed at the Women's World Cup. The team was one of 200 preparing for a qualification tournament for the cup in 2007, but did not play in the competition. [3] [7] [8] The team has withdrawn from numerous other events. [9] [10] [11] Burundi was to play in the 2008 African Women's Championship but withdrew from the tournament, giving the Democratic Republic of the Congo an automatic qualification. [9] The team also withdrew from the 2010 and 2012 editions of the Africa Women Cup of Nations before the first-round qualifiers. [10] [11] Burundi has not participated in other major events on the continent, including the 2011 All-Africa Games. [12] As of March 2012, the team was not ranked by FIFA. [13] [14] [15]

Burundi was scheduled to participate in a competition in 2007 organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Zanzibar. Nicholas Musonye, the secretary of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa), said of the event, "CAF wants to develop women's football in this region in recognition of the milestones Cecafa has achieved over the years. CAF appreciates what Cecafa has done despite the hardships the association has gone through, from financial problems to political instability in member states and poor management of associations. Member states in the Cecafa region have not taken women's football seriously. CAF now wants to sponsor a long-term campaign to attract women from this region into the game." [16] The competition was canceled due to lack of funds. [17]

Burundi's women's team was assembled in 2019 under coach Daniella Niyibimenya in anticipation of the 2019 CECAFA Women's Championship. [18] The team was defeated 2–0 in a match with the Uganda women's national football team. [19] Speaking on the team's lack of permanence and performance, Niyibimenya said, "We have a talented team but they need several warm-up matches to develop their character. Due to a lack of resources, we can only bring the girls together when a competition is announced." [20]

Background and development

Women's football is now [a] big deal. The standard that we have attained in Africa is good enough. Soon, an African team will challenge seriously for the World Cup. But we need far more support from governments and big business.

Lydia Nsekera, president of the Football Federation of Burundi [21]

The development of women's football in Africa faces several challenges, including limited access to education, poverty amongst women, inequalities and human rights abuses. [22] [23] [24] [25]

The Football Federation of Burundi, the country's national association, created a woman's football programme in 2000. [3] [5] [26] By 2006, there were just 455 registered women players, and the absence of a thriving women's game has been an obstacle for the national team. [27] Lydia Nsekera is the head of the national football association. [28]

Outside the national federation, the Commission nationale du football féminin was established by the 1990s, and a league and women's teams were organised in the same period in Bujumbura. [29] [30]

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win  Draw  Lose  Void or Postponed  Fixture

2025

21 February 2025 (2025-02-21) 2026 WAFCON qualifying Burundi  Flag of Burundi.svg0–1Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso Bamako, Mali
16:00  UTC+0 Report M. Traoré Soccerball shade.svg24'Stadium: Stade Mamadou Konaté
Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
26 February 2025 (2025-02-26) 2026 WAFCON qualifying Burkina Faso  Flag of Burkina Faso.svg4–1
(5–1 agg.)
Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi Bamako, Mali
16:00  UTC+0
Report Habonimana Soccerball shade.svg84'Stadium: Stade du 26 Mars
Note: Burkina Faso won 5–1 on aggregate.
13 June 2025 (2025-06-13) 2025 CECAFA Championship Uganda  Flag of Uganda.svg 0–1 Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi Chamazi, Tanzania
16:00 Report Habonimana Soccerball shade.svg76'Stadium: Azam Complex Stadium
Referee: Lucy Juma (Kenya)
Player of the Match: E. Habonimana (Burundi)
15 June 2025 (2025-06-15) 2025 CECAFA Championship Burundi  Flag of Burundi.svg 0–3 Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya Chamazi, Tanzania
16:00 Report
Stadium: Azam Complex Stadium
Referee: Emmanuela Akoo (South Sudan)
17 June 2025 (2025-06-17) 2025 CECAFA Championship Tanzania  Flag of Tanzania.svg 6–0 Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi Chamazi, Tanzania
16:00
Report Stadium: Azam Complex Stadium
Referee: Diana Murungi (Uganda)
21 June 2025 (2025-06-21) 2025 CECAFA Championship Burundi  Flag of Burundi.svg 1–3 Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan Chamazi, Tanzania
14:00 Bizimana Soccerball shade.svg67' (pen.) Report
Stadium: Azam Complex Stadium
Referee: Tatu Malogo (Tanzania)
Player of the Match: Ludia Maika (South Sudan)

Source : global sport

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

Updated as February 2025

PositionNameRef.
Head coach Flag of Burundi.svg Olivier Niyungeko

Manager history

Players

Current squad

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)Club
11 GK Faida Habimana (2005-03-24) 24 March 2005 (age 20) Flag of Burundi.svg Buja Queens  [ fr ]
131 GK Médiatrice Nsabimana (2010-07-05) 5 July 2010 (age 14) Flag of Burundi.svg Arena Star
1 GK Solange Manirakiza Flag of Burundi.svg La Colombe

22 DF Zena Shabani Nahimana (2007-10-10) 10 October 2007 (age 17) Flag of Burundi.svg Top Girls Academy
92 DF Dorine Irankunda (2009-10-13) 13 October 2009 (age 15) Flag of Burundi.svg Maika
112 DF Channy Nsabiyuva (2005-06-07) 7 June 2005 (age 20) Flag of Burundi.svg Top Girls Academy
122 DF Angélique Keza (2004-08-01) 1 August 2004 (age 20) Flag of Rwanda.svg Rayon Sport
2 DF Espérance Habonimana (2007-04-12) 12 April 2007 (age 18) Flag of Rwanda.svg Police WFC
192 DF Evelyne Akimana (2006-09-01) 1 September 2006 (age 18) Flag of Burundi.svg La Colombe
202 DF Annociate Nshimirimana (2004-10-02) 2 October 2004 (age 20) Flag of Tanzania.svg Fouantaine Gate

43 MF Estelle Gakima (2005-11-21) 21 November 2005 (age 19) Flag of Burundi.svg La Colombe
63 MF Peace Olga Niyomwungere (Captain) (2005-12-20) 20 December 2005 (age 19) Flag of Rwanda.svg Rayon Sports
163 MF Grâce Niyonkuru (1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 (age 26) Flag of Burundi.svg Kazoza Keza
183 MF Joëlle Bukuru (1999-02-13) 13 February 1999 (age 26) Flag of Tanzania.svg Fountain Gate Princess

74 FW Aniella Uwimana (1999-11-17) 17 November 1999 (age 25) Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Jeddah
84 FW Erica Kanyamuneza (2001-08-11) 11 August 2001 (age 23) Flag of Rwanda.svg Police
4 FW Gloris Gakiza (2007-11-25) 25 November 2007 (age 17) Flag of Burundi.svg Guja Queen
4 FW Rukiya Bizimana (2006-03-23) 23 March 2006 (age 19) Flag of Rwanda.svg Rayon Sport
144 FW Adolphine Salum Rumuri (2007-12-31) 31 December 2007 (age 17) Flag of Rwanda.svg Bugesera FC
154 FW Aline Hakizimana (2010-06-13) 13 June 2010 (age 15) Flag of Burundi.svg Intwarikazi
4 FW Rahay-Roy Nzoyikorera Flag of Burundi.svg Top Girls Academy

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to a Burundi squad in the past 12 months.

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GK Clairia Nshimirimana -- Flag of Burundi.svg La colombe FCv. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025
GK Ariella Umurerwa (2005-02-27) 27 February 2005 (age 20)-- Flag of Burundi.svg Top Girls Académiev. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,26 February 2025

DF Rasia Uwimana -- Flag of Burundi.svg Top Girls Académiev. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025
DF Abeda Hamisi Saidi -- Flag of Burundi.svg La Colombe FCv. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025
DF Edgardy Marimba Yasinta -- Flag of Burundi.svg Top Girls Académiev. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025
DF Neema Nshimirimana -- Flag of Burundi.svg Top Girls Académiev. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,26 February 2025
DF Nasra Nahimana (1999-12-10) 10 December 1999 (age 25)-- Flag of Burundi.svg Top Girls Académiev. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,26 February 2025
DF Rachelle Bukuru -- Flag of Burundi.svg Top Girls Académiev. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,26 February 2025
FW Zilfa Suzanne (1998-03-16) 16 March 1998 (age 27)-- Flag of Tanzania.svg Fouantaine Gatev. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,26 February 2025

MF Happy Irakoze --v. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025
MF Josephine Majura -- Flag of Burundi.svg Bon Avenirv. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025
MF Deddy Déricka Horaho -- Flag of Rwanda.svg v. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,26 February 2025
MF Asha Djafari (captain) (1998-07-10) 10 July 1998 (age 26)-- Flag of Tanzania.svg Simba Queens v. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,26 February 2025
MF Joyce Tunda -- Flag of Rwanda.svg Forever WFCv. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,26 February 2025
MF Bora Ineza -- Flag of Burundi.svg Top Girlsv. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,26 February 2025

FW Bella Vyizigiro -- Flag of Burundi.svg La Colombe FCv. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,21 February 2025
FW Sandrine Niyonkuru -- Flag of Egypt.svg FC Maserv. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,26 February 2025
FW Chancelline Akimana -- Flag of Rwanda.svg Police WFCv. Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso ,26 February 2025

INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
SUS Player is serving a suspension.
WD Player withdrew for personal reasons.

Previous squads

Africa Women Cup of Nations
CECAFA Women's Championship

Competitive record

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place  

Africa Women Cup of Nations

Africa Women Cup of Nations
YearRoundGPWD*LGSGAGD
1991 to Flag of Namibia.svg 2014 did not exist
Flag of Cameroon.svg 2016 did not enter
Flag of Ghana.svg 2018
2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
Flag of Morocco.svg 2022 Group Stage3003311−8
Flag of Morocco.svg 2024 Did not qualify
Total1/143003311−8

(The former format was amended as it did not comply with MOS:FLAG as discussed here)

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

African Games

African Games record
YearResultMatchesWinsDrawsLossesGFGA
Flag of Nigeria.svg 2003 did not exist
Flag of Algeria.svg 2007
Flag of Mozambique.svg 2011
Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg 2015
Flag of Morocco.svg 2019 did not enter
Flag of Ghana.svg 2023
Total0/4000000

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record
YearResultPldWD*LGSGAGD
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 1991 did not exist
Flag of Sweden.svg 1995
Flag of the United States.svg 1999
Flag of the United States.svg 2003
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 2007
Flag of Germany.svg 2011
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg 2015
Flag of France (lighter variant).svg 2019 did not enter
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 2023 did not qualify
Flag of Brazil.svg 2027 did not qualify
Flag of Mexico.svg Flag of the United States.svg 2031 did not qualify
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 2035 did not qualify
Total0/120000000
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record
YearResultPldWD*LGSGAGD
Flag of the United States.svg 1996 did not exist
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2000
Flag of Greece.svg 2004
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 2008
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 2012
Flag of Brazil.svg 2016 did not enter
Flag of Japan.svg 2020
Flag of France.svg 2024
Total0/70000000
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

CECAFA Women's Championship

CECAFA Women's Championship
YearRoundGPWD*LGSGAGD
Flag of Zanzibar.svg 1986 did not enter
Flag of Uganda.svg 2016 Groupe stage3102106+4
Flag of Rwanda.svg 2018 did not enter
Flag of Tanzania.svg 2019 4th5203811−3
Flag of Djibouti.svg 2021 Cancelled
Flag of Uganda.svg 2022 Runner-up5302990
Total1/50000000

Honours

Regional

Med 2.png Runners-up:

All−time record against FIFA recognized nations

The list shown below shows the Djibouti national football team all−time international record against opposing nations.
*As of xxxxxx after match against xxxx.

Key
  Positive balance (more wins than losses)
  Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
  Negative balance (more losses than wins)
AgainstPldWDLGFGAGDConfederation

    Record per opponent

    *As ofxxxxx after match against xxxxx.

    Key
      Positive balance (more wins than losses)
      Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
      Negative balance (more losses than wins)

    The following table shows Djibouti's all-time official international record per opponent:

    OpponentPldWDLGFGAGDW%Confederation
    Total

    See also

    References

    1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
    2. Chrös McDougall (1 January 2012). Soccer. ABDO. p. 45. ISBN   978-1-61783-146-1 . Retrieved 13 April 2012.
    3. 1 2 3 4 "Burundi: Fixtures and Results". FIFA. 2012. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
    4. 1 2 FIFA (2006). "Women's Football Today" (PDF). p. 40. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
    5. 1 2 "Goal! Football: Burundi" (PDF). FIFA. 21 April 2009. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
    6. "Foot féminin : Éliminatoires CAN-2012 Le Sénégal affronte le Burundi en janvier" (in French). Yenkini. 22 October 2011. Archived from the original on 9 January 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2012. Les protégées de Bassouaré Diaby, qui ne se sont jamais qualifiées pour une CAN, tenteront de se racheter face aux Hirondelles du Burundi.
    7. Ballard, John; Suff, Paul (1999). The dictionary of football : the complete A-Z of international football from Ajax to Zinedine Zidane. London: Boxtree. p. 106. ISBN   0752224344. OCLC   59442612.
    8. "AAGM: Over 200 Countries Gear Up for Women's World Cup". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 8 September 2007. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
    9. 1 2 Omorodion, Patrick (2 December 2007). "AAGM: Super Falcons Take a Rest as Women Battle". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
    10. 1 2 "Fixtures – African Women Championship 2010". CAF. Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
    11. 1 2 Bakama, James (15 January 2012). "New Vision (Uganda) – AAGM: Crested Cranes in Danger". New Vision. Kampala, Uganda. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
    12. "Groups & standings – All Africa Games women 2011". CAF. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
    13. "The FIFA Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 25 September 2009. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
    14. "Classement mondial féminin de la FIFA". fr.fifa.com . 23 September 2011. Archived from the original on 19 June 2007. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
    15. "Tanzania yapaa viwango FIFA" (in Swahili). New Habari. 4 June 2012. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2012. Nchi nyingine za CECAFA ambazo ni Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti, Somalia na Sudan hazina soka la wanawake la ushindani kiasi ya kuwa na timu ya taifa.
    16. "AAGM: CAF to Fund Regional Women's Championships". The (Daily) Nation. Nairobi, Kenya. 4 January 2007. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
    17. Olita, Reuben (27 September 2007). "Cecafa Puts Off Women Tourney". New Vision. Uganda.
    18. Nzeyimana, Perfect (31 October 2019). "Foot féminin : les Intamba en mode revanchard". Jimbere Magazine (in French). Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
    19. Oryada, Andrew Jackson (26 November 2019). "Kenya win 2019 regional Cecafa Senior Women's Challenge Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
    20. Ndihokubwayo, Isaac (7 January 2020). "Intamba 2019, millésimes mi-figue, mi-raisin : un dernier détour". Jimbere Magazine (in French). Retrieved 24 January 2022.
    21. Olajire, Ademola (5 November 2006). "AAGM: Wesley Canvasses Greater Support for Women's Football". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
    22. Jean Williams (15 December 2007). A Beautiful Game: International Perspectives on Women's Football. Berg. p. 186. ISBN   978-1-84520-674-1 . Retrieved 13 April 2012.
    23. Richard Giulianotti; David McArdle (2006). Sport, Civil Liberties and Human Rights. Routledge. p. 77. ISBN   978-0-7146-5344-0 . Retrieved 28 June 2012.
    24. Chris Hallinan; Steven J. Jackson (31 August 2008). Social And Cultural Diversity In A Sporting World. Emerald Group Publishing. pp. 40–41. ISBN   978-0-7623-1456-0 . Retrieved 28 June 2012.
    25. Jean Williams (18 December 2003). A Game for Rough Girls?: A History of Women's Football in Britain. Routledge. pp. 173–175. ISBN   978-0-415-26338-2 . Retrieved 28 June 2012.
    26. Tom Dunmore (16 September 2011). Historical Dictionary of Soccer. Scarecrow Press. ISBN   978-0-8108-7188-5 . Retrieved 13 April 2012.
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    28. Gabriel Kuhn (24 February 2011). Soccer Vs. the State: Tackling Football and Radical Politics. PM Press. p. 34. ISBN   978-1-60486-053-5 . Retrieved 13 April 2012.
    29. "Burundi – Lydia Nsekera, la "Madame Thatcher du football" à la Fifa" (in French). Slate Afrique. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2012. Elle a beaucoup œuvré pour inciter les femmes du Burundi à pratiquer ce sport. Dans les années 1990, en tant que présidente de la Commission nationale du football féminin, elle a mis en place des équipes féminines à Bujumbara et a créé un championnat de football uniquement dédié aux femmes.
    30. "Fifa : Lydia Nsekera, première dame du foot mondial". Jeune Afrique (in French). 30 May 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2012. Elle a assouvi sa passion par procuration et contribué largement à changer les choses en créant des équipes féminines à Bujumbura, la capitale de cette ancienne colonie belge. À la fin des années 1990, la Fifa, pour encourager le développement du football au Burundi, se tourne naturellement vers Lydia Nsekera.
    31. CECAFA [@Cecafaonline] (12 June 2025). "Find the Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi squads ahead of the CECAFA Senior Women's Championship" (Tweet). Retrieved 13 June 2025 via Twitter.