As Group L action resumes in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, Burundi and Malawi meet at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Thursday. Both nations, now eliminated from the race for qualification, will be playing for pride, hoping to finish their campaigns on a positive note.

Match Details

Fixture: Burundi vs Malawi
Date: Thursday, November 14, 2023
Broadcast: SABC Sport, SABC Plus, SuperSport
Kick-off: 15:00 CAT

Previous Head-to-Head

The last meeting between Burundi and Malawi was a closely contested affair, with Burundi emerging victorious in a thrilling 3-2 win. The game showcased both teams’ attacking strengths and defensive weaknesses, making this rematch an exciting prospect. With nothing to lose, both sides might adopt a free-flowing, attacking style as they aim for bragging rights.

Recent Form

Burundi

Burundi enters this fixture on a disappointing run. After an opening win against Malawi, they’ve lost their last three Group L matches, conceding seven goals while scoring only once. Most recently, they fell 2-0 to Burkina Faso in a hard-fought battle, extending their winless streak and dashing their qualification hopes. Patrick Sangwa’s squad, sitting third in the group, will want to restore some pride and end their campaign on a high.

AFCON Qualifying Form: WLLL
All Competitions Form: DWWLLL

Malawi

Malawi’s journey in Group L has been even more challenging, as they’ve lost each of their four matches. Their last outing was a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat against Senegal, with Sadio Mane scoring in stoppage time. Malawi’s defense has struggled, conceding 11 goals in total—an issue they’ll need to address to avoid a similar outcome against Burundi.

AFCON Qualifying Form: LLLL
All Competitions Form: WLLLLL

Players to Lookout For

Burundi

Abedi Bigirimana: The influential midfielder will look to control the tempo in midfield, providing defensive stability and creative support for his teammates.
Bienvenue Kanakimana: Expected to lead Burundi’s attack, Kanakimana’s pace and finishing ability will be crucial to breaking down Malawi’s defense.
Youssouf Ndayishimiye: The Nice defender has been solid at the back and will be pivotal in organizing the defense against Malawi’s attack.

Malawi

John Banda: With over 88 caps, Banda’s experience in midfield is essential to Malawi’s game plan. His distribution and defensive support will be crucial.
Gadi Chirwa: A promising forward, Chirwa has shown flashes of brilliance and will aim to exploit Burundi’s defensive lapses.
Patrick Mwaungulu: This young attacker brings energy and skill to Malawi’s front line, making him a potential game-changer in this clash.

Current Injuries

Both teams come into this game without major injury concerns, allowing them to field strong line-ups as they seek a morale-boosting win.

Betting Odds

Here are the betting options for the Burundi vs Malawi match:

Betting Market	Odds
Burundi Win	2.30
Malawi Win	3.10
Draw	2.90
Both Teams to Score – Yes	1.80
Both Teams to Score – No	2.00
Over 2.5 Goals	2.20
Under 2.5 Goals	1.70
Half-Time Result – Burundi	3.10
Half-Time Result – Draw	1.95
Half-Time Result – Malawi	3.50
Burundi to Score First	1.75
Malawi to Score First	2.20
Exact Score 1-1	6.00
Draw No Bet – Burundi	1.70
Draw No Bet – Malawi	2.30

Betting Odds

(Odds are indicative and may vary.)

Betting Tips

Over 2.5 Goals: Given the defensive vulnerabilities of both teams, a high-scoring game is likely.
Both Teams to Score: Both sides have shown attacking intent despite defensive issues, making this a reasonable bet.
Draw: With little to separate the two sides, a draw could be the most probable outcome.

Burundi vs Malawi Prediction Breakdown

Prediction: Burundi 1-1 Malawi
This encounter might not hold any qualification stakes, but both teams will aim to end on a positive note. Burundi, despite having a slightly better record, is evenly matched with Malawi in terms of overall performance. Given the similar strengths and weaknesses, a draw seems likely, with both teams finding the net.

Predicted Starting Line-up

Burundi

Formation: 4-3-3
Line-up: Nahimana; Keita, Ndayishimiye, Nsabiyumva, Marco; Bigirimana, Eldinho, Jordi; Girumugisha, Eldhino, Kanakimana

Malawi

Formation: 4-4-2
Line-up: Thole; Lameck, Mwale, Chembezi, Silwimba; Mpinganjira, Banda, Nkhoma, Njaliwa; Chirwa, Mwaungulu

Conclusion

The Burundi vs Malawi match may be a dead rubber in terms of qualification, but both teams will be motivated to put in a spirited display. The lack of pressure could lead to an open and entertaining game, with each team keen to salvage pride in their final Group L match. With evenly matched squads and a similar campaign trajectory, a balanced, hard-fought draw is a fitting prediction for this clash.