Experienced Simba midfielder Saidi Ntibazonkiza has been included in the Burundi national team 25-man squad ahead of their clash against Harambee Stars.Stars will host the CECAFA neighbours in round 3 of the 2016 FIFA World Cup qualifier on June 7 at the Bingu National Stadium in Malawi.Kenya would have hosted the game in Nairobi but the lack of a stadium that meets the threshold set by CAF and FIFA will deny the team home advantage.Burundi national team coach Etienne Ndayiragije reserved a slot for the well-traveled midfielder, whose experience will definitely come in handy in the game.##NAJAVA_MECA_8103451##Besides playing in Europe for years, Ntibazonkiza has amassed continental experience with Simba both in the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup.The creative midfielder is not the sole senior player in the team as long-serving goalkeeper Jonathan Nahimana is in the team.The Namungo custodian featured for Burundi in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt so is seasoned centre-back Frederick Nsabiyumva.CAF CL: Al Ahly, Zamalek to renew African football club rivalry this weekendFormer Newcastle and Coventry midfielder Gael Birigimana who also featured for the Swallows in the 2019 AFCON finals is also in the squad.Ndayiragije, while naming the squad, appeared to settle for foreign-based players as a large chunk of the invitees for the crucial qualifier double against Kenya and Seychelles play abroad.CECAFA Kagame Cup returns after a two-year hiatusFor the first time in a long time, the Burundi technical bench will not have a player featuring in the Kenyan league in the national team squad ahead of an international game.After the duel against Burundi, Stars will travel to Abidjan for a clash against African champions Ivory Coast.Burundi SquadGoalkeepersNkurunziza Matteo (RWD Molenbeek), Nahimana Jonathan (Namungo FC) and Bizimana Aladin (KVK Tienen)Defenders Nihorimbere Vaillance (SJ Gjovik), Niyukuru Claus (FK Haugesund), Bukuru Keita (Aigle Noir), Nsabiyumva Frederick (VSK Fotball), Nshimirimana Ismail (APR) and Lucien Delaigle (RWDM U21)MidfieldersNdayishimye Youssuf (OGC Nice), Msanga Henry (Flambeau du Centre FC), Mokono Elie (Bumamuru FC), Jamir Naudts (SC Feyenoord), Ntibazonkiza Saidi (Simba SC), Irakoze Donasiyano (Oakland Roots SC), Muderi Akbar (Gasogi FC), Gael Bigirimana (Ungannom Swifts FC), Abedi Bigirimana (Police FC)ForwardsHussein Shaban (AS Kigali), Richard Kilongozi (Kiyovu FC), Elvis Kamsoba (PSS Sleman), Mohammed Amissi (Baladiyat El Mahalla SC), Sudi Abdallah (Alittihad Misurata SC), Kanakimana Bienvenu (FK Jablonec), Jordy Liongola (Raal la Louvière)
