Burundi make winning start in FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers

The Swallows of Burundi have stopped Gambia 3-2 in the opening Group F match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Striker Abedi Bigirimana gave Burundi the lead after 31 minutes, and Frederic Nsabiyumva made it 2-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

But the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFON) quarter finalists Gambia pulled a goal back through Musa Barrow in added time of the first half.

After recess Sudi Abdallah netted Burundi’s third goal after 75 minutes as the Swallows continued to push forward for more goals. Gambia were awarded a penalty i added time and Ebrima Colley made no mistake from the spot.

Etienne Ndayiragije, the Burundi head coach said it was good to start the qualifiers with a win. “We need to be motivated as we start preparations for the next match next week,” added the coach.

In another Group F match played Kenya took an early lead through Masoud Juma, but fell 2-1 away to Gabon. Denis Bouanga and Guelor Kanga scored for the home side.

Djibouti also suffered a 6-0 defeat away to Egypt in a Group A qualifying tie, while Somalia suffered a 3-1 loss away to Algeria in a Group G qualifier. Sudan settled for a 1-1 draw against Togo in a Group B qualifying match.

On Wednesday Rwanda under new coach Torsten Frank Spittler were held by Zimbabwe to a goalless draw in a Group C match played at the Huye Stadium. Ethiopia also settled for a 0-0 draw against Sierra Leone in a Group A match played in Morocco

Collected results for CECAFA Zone teams

Rwanda 0 Zimbabwe 0

Ethiopia 0 Sierra Leone 0

Burundi 3 Gambia 2

Egypt 6 Djibouti 0

Sudan 1 Togo 1

Algeria 3 Somalia 1

Gabon 2 Kenya 1