Burundi’s National Football Team Welcomes New Head Coach

The Burundi Football Federation (FFB) has appointed Sangwa Mayani Patrick as the new head coach of the national team, (Intamba mu Rugamba), under a two-year contract. Signed on October 29, 2024, the agreement charges Sangwa with leading the team to competitive success within African football.

Sangwa has previously served as an assistant to former head coach Ndayiragije Etienne, a role he held from February to September 2023. His tenure as assistant ended after Burundi’s elimination from the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following a 3-0 loss to Cameroon.

At 51 years old, Sangwa, originally from Kalemie in the Democratic Republic of Congo, holds Belgian nationality. He has coaching experience from Royal Aywaille, a fourth-division club in Belgium. Beginning his coaching career in Burundi with Flamengo in 1996-97, Sangwa later coached Rumuri and Athletico Olympic before moving to Europe, where he earned a UEFA A coaching license.

Though Burundi is already eliminated from the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, Sangwa will lead the team in its upcoming matches, including a home game against Malawi on November 14, followed by an away match against Senegal five days later.