Burundi will be taking on Cameroon on Thursday at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in matchday two of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The hosts were unable to kickoff their qualifying campaign with all three points last time out, while Cameroon are looking to start with a victory in their opening fixture.
Burundi were forced to settle for a share of the spoils in Saturday’s contest against the Brave Warriors of Namibia at the FNB Stadium.
Peter Shalulile opened the scoring in the 10th minute to put Jimmy Ndayizeye’s side behind, but a late equaliser from Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana ensured that the game ended level.
As a result, Burundi sit joint top of Group C after the opening round of matches in their quest to reach Africa’s biggest football showpiece for what would only be the second time.
Unbeaten in their last four home matches, picking up three wins and one draw, Les Hirondelles have proven themselves to be a tough nut to crack in front of their fans.
On the other hand, Cameroon will take to the pitch for the first time since they secured their World Cup ticket in a frantic manner against Algeria on March 29.
The Indomitable Lions were on the verge of suffering a 2-1 defeat on aggregate heading into the final few seconds of extra time before a goal from Karl Toko Ekambi changed the course of the game.
Rigobert Song’s side are on a decent run of six wins in nine matches since the turn of the year, during which they have only lost to Egypt and Algeria.
Next up is a first-ever meeting against an opposing side who are 151 places below in the latest FIFA rankings of all national team, and will be looking to begin their AFCON qualification journey with a win.
Burundi vs Cameroon head to head
The two national teams have not previously met on any occasions, and this will be the first time they meet in a competitive match in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualification.
Burundi latest home form
Burundi have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their last four matches. They managed to defeat Seychelles 8-1 in their last home game in a friendly match. In their last five matches, they have scored 16 goals and conceded six.
Burundi 0-1 Somalia 13/12/19
Burundi 3-1 Seychelles 18/01/20
Burundi 3-1 Mauritania 15/11/20
Burundi 2-2 Central African Republic 26/03/21
Burundi 8-1 Seychelles 04/09/21
Burundi latest away form
Burundi have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their six most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Namibia in their last away game in the AFCON Qualifiers. In their last five matches, they have scored three goals and conceded five.
Morocco 1-0 Burundi 30/03/21
Comoros 1-0 Burundi07/09/21
Bahrain 1-0 Burundi 26/03/22
Liberia 1-2 Burundi 29/03/22
Namibia 1-1 Burundi 04/06/22
Cameroon latest home form
Cameroon have recently been on a downturn in form at home, as they have lost each of their two most recent matches. They lost 1-0 to Algeria in their last home game in the World Cup Qualifiers. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded four.
Cameroon 2-1 Burkina Faso 09/01/22
Cameroon 4-1 Ethiopia 13/01/22
Cameroon 2-1 Comoros 24/01/22
Cameroon 0-0(P) Egypt 03/02/22
Cameroon 0-1 Algeria 25/03/22
Cameroon latest away form
Cameroon have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their six most recent matches. They defeated Algeria 2-1 after extra time in their last away game in the World Cup Qualifiers. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded five.
Malawi 0-4 Cameroon 13/11/21
Cape Varde 1-1 Cameroon 17/01/22
Gambia 0-2 Cameroon 29/01/22
Burkina Faso 3-3(P) Cameroon 05/02/22
Algeria 1-2(E) Cameroon 29/03/22
Burundi news
Burundi’s Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana is suspended for this contest after he recieved his marching orders for two bookable offences in the game against Namibia.
This could see Blaise Bigirimana come into the starting XI for Thursday’s contest after the 23-year-old had to make do with a brief cameo in the aforementioned game.
Cameroon news
Having recently switch his international allegiance to Cameroon from France, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou has been called up for the first time for Thursday’s game.
Vincent Aboubakar will be looking to move clear of Patrick M’Boma, who he currently sits level with in the third spot of his nation’s all-time scoring charts.
Prediction and Odds
Burundi enter the contest with some confidence derived from their last home victory over Seychelles, but they face opponents who are stronger than them here.
Cameroon are on a better run of results coming into this contest and they have the chance to seize the opportunity of taking all three points.
Odds: 1 2.45 X 2.10 2 1.78
Probable outcomes
Burundi 0-1 Cameroon
Burundi 0-2 Cameroon
Burundi 0-3 Cameroon
Burundi 1-3 Cameroon
Burundi 1-4 Cameroon
