Burundi will meet Tanzania in Council of East and Central African Football Association (CECAFA) U-23 final in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia on Saturday July 30.
It has not been smooth sailing for Burundi in the competition, with the team being affected by COVID-19, meaning they had to make changes now and again to ensure they have a strong squad to compete in the competition.
The squad selected has not disappointed and many of the players have raised their hands to be called up for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Burundi advanced to the final after defeating Kenya 4-2 on penalties following a goalless stalemate at the end of normal time.
Both sides struggled to keep hold of the ball early on as they squandered possession with some poor passing, especially in the final third.
Consequently, the first decent effort on goal only came in the 12th minute courtesy of a well-taken free-kick from Henry Meja, but the Burundi goalkeeper Rukundo Onesime made a good save to deny him.
A minute later Burundi had another shot on goal when Issa Hakizimana unleashed a thunderbolt from distance, but Toufik Moussaoui made a good save to keep the scores level.
On the half hour mark Boniface Muchiri tried his luck from long range once more, but he saw his effort sail narrowly wide of the target.
Five minutes before the break Austin Odhiambo should have given Kenya the lead when he met a corner-kick from Bernard Ochieng, but he headed inches over the crossbar.
Adolphe Hakizimana should have broke the deadlock for Burundi just before the halftime break but he scooped his effort over the bar from three-yards out.
Marvin Nabwire should have given Kenya the lead in the 69th minute, the AFC Leopards midfielder played a neat one-two with Muchiri before seeing his effort denied by the crossbar.
Benson Omala also squandered an opportunity to break the deadlock minutes later, as he fired wide of the mark from six-yards out.
Stanley Okumbi’s side piled on the pressure in the closing stages of the game but could not bypass a stubborn Burundi defence.
Kenya missed two spot-kicks and Burundi won 4-2 on penalties – booking a place in the finals where they will take on Tanzania.
