Meknès, Morocco — Burundi showed their world-class skills as they crushed Seychelles 5-0 on Matchday 6 of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers on March 25, 2025. The locals dominated the game from start to finish, with standout performances from multiple players, including Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana and Jean Claude Girumugisha.
The victory is a significant boost for Burundi, who have been struggling in their recent matches. Coach Patrick Sangwa Mayani emphasized the importance of this win, stating, “We needed to show that we can compete. The boys did well to keep the pressure high from the beginning.”
Burundi kicked off the game with an aggressive approach, continuously finding spaces and recovering the ball quickly. The local fans erupted when Christophe Nduwarugira scored the first goal from a well-placed header following a cross in the 15th minute. His goal set the stage for an eventful match.
In the 20th minute, it was Bimenyimana’s turn to shine. He scored Burundian second and third goals within a span of three minutes, extending the lead to 3-0. “We were focused on our game plan, and it paid off,” Bimenyimana said, ecstatic about his performance.
Despite being three goals down, Seychelles struggled to capitalize on opportunities, with their defensive scheme failing. Coach Elie Eldhino urged his team to push forward and take more risks, but the matches remained one-sided throughout the first half.
After the halftime break, Burundi showed no signs of slowing down and added two more goals in the second half. Girumugisha found the back of the net with an impressive strike in the 70th minute, sealing the victory with confidence.
The match statistics painted a clear picture of Burundi’s dominance. The team had 60% possession and took 15 shots on goal, with five of them finding the net, while Seychelles managed only three attempts, none of which were on target.
“We knew we had to play better than our last games,” Sangwa added, referencing Burundi’s recent struggles. “Today’s result is a turning point for us; we must build on this momentum.”
With this convincing victory, Burundi aims to improve their standings in Group F, where they now hold hope for qualification. Meanwhile, Seychelles remains at the bottom of the group with no wins. The Pirates must reevaluate their approach and strengthen their defensive formation as they continue their campaign.
