AFCON 2023 Q: Burundi’s win over Namibia leaves Indomitable Lions in a limbo

Burundi are right back in the contest in group C of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a 3-2 win over Namibia.

The result adversely affects the Indomitable Lions and their fans who have hit the panic button, with mathematical calculations, albeit a clear and obvious option of a win for Cameroon – which is synonymous to qualification.

A draw or win for Namibia against Burundi would have made things a tab easier for Cameroon, but Burundi will not go down without a fight.

Burundi defeated Namibia at home on Tuesday to keep their slim hopes of reaching next year’s Africa Cup of Nations alive.

Abedi Bigirimana opened the scoring in the first minute, while Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana and Hussein Shaban scored the other two goals in the 8th and 19th minutes respectively, giving the hosts three goals in the first 20 minutes.

Namibia’s Peter Shalulile made it 3-1 just before the break, while substitute Wendell Rudath added the second with five minutes remaining.

With four points, Burundi is now third in the three-team Group, on level with second-placed Cameroon and one point behind Group leaders Namibia.

Burundi faces a tough challenge in the last round of the qualifiers as they visit Cameroon next September.

The Group was reduced to three teams after Kenya’s disqualification by FIFA due to the suspension of the country’s Football Federation.

The first two teams in each Group will reach the Africa Cup of Nations set to be played in Ivory Coast in January next year.

On September 4, a victory against Burundi will mean qualification as group C toppers for Cameroon. A zero-all tie will see Cameroon qualify in 2nd position (due to the away goals). A parity with a one-all minimum eliminates Cameroon. A defeat is of course, synonymous to elimination.