Burundi faces Kenya in a CAF World Cup Qualifier match at the Stade Intwari. Both teams will want to end their campaign on a high note after failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Neither team can qualify from Group F, but there’s still plenty to play for in terms of pride, FIFA ranking points and building momentum for the future.
So the Harambee Stars travel to Bujumbura hoping to beat their East African rivals, and the Swallows want to defend at home and finish above them in the table.
Match details
- Match: Burundi vs Kenya
- Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (CAF), Group F
- Venue: Stade Intwari, Bujumbura
- Date: Thursday, 9 October 2025
- Kick-off: 14h00 GMT +1 (15h00 local time)
How to watch
Live coverage of CAF World Cup qualifiers is available on FIFA+ globally.
In Morocco and the MENA region, beIN SPORTS MAX 6 will broadcast the game.
#TeamKenya MPOOOOO!👌🇰🇪
ITS MATCH DAY!⚽
KENYA 🆚 BURUNDI
⏱️4pm
🏟 Intwari StadiumLet’s dooo this boys💪🇰🇪
📸 @Harambee__Stars #RoadToWorldCup #TeamKenya pic.twitter.com/EISEwQLTAz
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) October 9, 2025
Kenya team news
Coach Benni McCarthy and the Kenyan team look to recover from a hurtful narrow loss to Gabon last month. Captain Michael Olunga has a minor hamstring issue which will be assessed before kick-off.
In the attack, McCarthy may give a few more minutes to the exciting Lawrence Okoth, who impressed in the league. Ryan Ogam is another option if Olunga is unfit to start.
- Injuries: Michael Olunga (doubt), Rooney Onyango (doubt), Alpha Onyango (doubt)
- Returning players: None
- Tactical changes: Without a fully fit Olunga, Kenya may rely more on pace and short passing in attack rather than long balls or crosses.
Predicted lineup: Bwire, R Onyango, Sichenje, Owino, Okwaro, T Ouma, A C Onyango, W Wilson, M Olunga, Ochieng, Ogam.
Burundi team news
The Swallows don’t have major injury concerns. The team doesn’t have much to lose, and now that the World Cup dreams are gone, Coach Patrick Sangwa says they will now focus on preparing for the 2027 AFCON.
But Sangwa will be without captain Frédéric Nsabiyumva due to injury and Sudi Abdallah, who has been left out of the squad. The attacking burden will likely fall on Bienvenue Kanakimana, one of Burundi’s most creative forwards.
- Injuries: Frédéric Nsabiyumva (out), Sudi Abdallah (omitted)
- Returning players: None
- Tactical changes: a focus on organisation and counterattacks. Burundi known for discipline and physical play, especially at home.
Predicted lineup: Nahimana, Weymans, Nduwarugira, Niyukuri, Dushime, Muderi Girumugisha, Bzoza, Msanga, Eldhino, Kanakimana
Kesho nayo lazima kawake!⚽🔥
🇰🇪KENYA 🆚 🇰🇪BURUNDI
🏟️Intwari Stadium, Bujumbura
⏱️4pm
🏆2026 World Cup QualifiersAll the best @Harambee__Stars#RoadToWorldCup #HarambeeStars #TeamKenya pic.twitter.com/PbD0S0P364
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) October 8, 2025
What to expect
Both teams are in the bottom two positions in Group F but this shouldn’t reduce the intensity of the game. Kenya will try to control the midfield, with Olunga (if fit) as their main presence up front. Burundi will use their home advantage with their pace and quick transition to threaten from set pieces.
Kenya will try to control the game through the midfield, with Olunga (if fit) as their main man up front. Burundi will look to use their home advantage, quick transitions and set pieces to threaten.
The new pitch at Stade Intwari might slow the game down, favouring a fast, direct game rather than possession football. Given both teams’ tendency to concede, we might see goals at both ends.
Safe calls
- Both Teams to Score: Likely, both sides have struggled defensively in recent matches.
- Under 2.5 Goals: Expected, neither side is consistently clinical.
- Draw or Kenya Win: Safe option, Kenya have the quality to earn at least a point.
- Prediction: Burundi 1–1 Kenya
