Saido Berahino films celebrations as Burundi qualify for their first ever Africa Cup of Nations at expense of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's Gabon

  • Burundi qualified for the African Cup of Nations for the first time on Saturday 
  • They drew with Gabon to get the point they needed to finish second in Group C
  • Saturday's 1-1 draw saw Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's Gabon fail to qualify
  • Saido Berahino posted footage of the post-match celebrations on Instagram

Burundi have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after holding Gabon to a 1-1 draw in Group C to collect the point they needed.

Ranked 138th in the world, Burundi — featuring Stoke City's Saido Berahino — are the third team set to make their debut at an expanded African Cup in Egypt in June and July. Madagascar and Mauritania had already booked their places.

Burundi's draw at a packed Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium on Saturday meant it ousted Gabon and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for a spot at the tournament.

Burundi fans were in the mood to party after their team qualified for the African Cup of Nations

Burundi fans were in the mood to party after their team qualified for the African Cup of Nations

There were hugs on the pitch after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Gabon sealed a place in the finals

There were hugs on the pitch after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Gabon sealed a place in the finals

Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looked dejected after the final whistle

Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looked dejected after the final whistle

After starting cautiously, Burundi led through Cedric Amissi's goal in the 76th minute. Omar Ngando's own-goal with eight minutes to go gave Burundi a nervous finish. Victory for Gabon would have seen them qualify instead.


Burundi held on to clinch the second qualifying place in the group behind Mali and make history for a country that has been trying to reach Africa's top tournament since 1976.

This year's African Cup has been expanded from 16 to 24 teams.

And after Burundi guaranteed that they will be among those 24 nations, Berahino took to Instagram to document the celebrations in Bujumbura.

Berahino shared footage from inside a vehicle as it drove slowly through a busy street full of joyous supporters.

He captioned the video with the message: 'Small but big hearts. Remember the name BURUNDI'. 

Burundi star Saido Berahino shared footage from inside a vehicle
He captioned the video with the message: 'Small but big hearts. Remember the name BURUNDI'

Burundi star Saido Berahino shared footage from inside a vehicle as the team left the stadium 

Berahino captured an image of a Burundi fan giving a thumbs up to the team as they drove by

Berahino captured an image of a Burundi fan giving a thumbs up to the team as they drove by

Spirits were high inside the vehicle and celebrations likely continued deep into the night

Spirits were high inside the vehicle and celebrations likely continued deep into the night

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