Burundi defeated Kenya 2–0 in their U20 Africa Cup of Nations CECAFA qualifier at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, leaving the Rising Stars with a difficult task in their remaining Group C match.
The Thursday, September 17, encounter saw Burundi continue their impressive start to the regional qualifiers, with captain Amini Nshimirimana scoring both goals to secure a second consecutive victory for his side.
The tournament is being held in Tanzania from September 15 to 24, with the competition serving as the CECAFA regional qualifier for the 2027 U20 AFCON in Ghana.
Burundi Take Early Control
Burundi started the match with confidence after already recording a convincing 4–0 victory over South Sudan in their opening Group C fixture.
Nshimirimana opened the scoring after just 10 minutes following a well-worked Burundi attack. He beat Kenya goalkeeper Wayne Orata to give Burundi an early advantage.
Kenya tried to respond but struggled to break down a disciplined Burundi defence.
According to CAF, defenders Cadeau Ndayishimiye and Radjabu Nzeyimana helped Burundi maintain their defensive organisation as Kenya looked for an equaliser.
Nshimirimana Completes His Brace
Burundi continued to threaten after the break, while Kenya searched for a way back into the game.
The decisive moment arrived in the 68th minute when Nshimirimana scored his second goal of the night with a header.
The captain’s brace took his tournament tally to four goals after he had also scored twice against South Sudan.
His second goal effectively settled the contest and gave Burundi six points from their first two matches.
Kenya attempted to create opportunities late in the match, with Edwin Jumba and substitute Theodore Gitari trying their luck from outside the box.
However, neither could find the breakthrough as Burundi held on for a clean sheet and another important victory.
Kenya Face Must-Win Situation
The defeat leaves Kenya needing a strong response in their final Group C fixture against South Sudan.
Burundi had already defeated South Sudan 4–0 in their opening match, meaning both Kenya and South Sudan entered their second encounter without a point.
Kenya’s head coach Gilbert Selebwa acknowledged that there were weaknesses his team needed to address before facing South Sudan.
The match is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, with Kenya needing victory to keep their hopes of reaching the semifinals alive.
Selebwa has also urged Kenyans not to panic following the defeat, with the coach looking to regroup his players for the decisive fixture.
Burundi Secure Semi-Final Place
The victory over Kenya made Burundi the first team to secure a place in the semifinals of the CECAFA U20 AFCON qualifiers.
They have won both of their Group C matches, scoring six goals and conceding none.
Burundi’s coach Jean De Dieu Rukundo said the team’s initial objective had been achieved after securing qualification for the semifinal stage.
The Burundians will now wait for the outcome of the other groups before learning their semifinal opponent.
Road to the 2027 U20 AFCON
The Tanzania tournament features nine teams divided into three groups of three.
The three group winners and the best second-placed team will advance to the semifinals.
The two finalists will then earn the CECAFA region’s qualification places for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.
For Kenya, attention now shifts to South Sudan.
The Rising Stars must put the Burundi defeat behind them and focus on their final group match, where the result will determine whether they remain in contention for a place in the semifinals.
Burundi, meanwhile, have already achieved their first major objective and will enter the knockout stage with momentum after two convincing victories.
The 2–0 result in Dar es Salaam therefore leaves the Group C picture clear: Burundi have advanced, while Kenya and South Sudan will battle for their remaining opportunity to stay in the competition.
