WE'VE BEEN CALLED UNDERDOGS FROM THE QAULIFICATION STAGES - SADIO BERAHINO

Burundi who were drawn in group B of the ongoing AFCON2019 EGYPT, alongside their fellow debutant Madagascar and three -time champions Nigeria and 1979 runners-up Guinea. 

Burundi, nicknamed the Swallows and coached by OLIVIER NIYUNGEKO will start their AFCON journey as debutant against tournaments favorite Nigeria at the Alexandria Stadium on Saturday by 6pm (WAT). 

Burundi's Captain, Sadio Berahino, 25, who played for England at youth levels speaking to media men before their encounter with Nigeria as being the "underdogs" of the group. 

"We've been called underdogs from qualifications stages and for us, we just take the games as the come. 

Most of the players are motivated by this cause we can play freely and most nation's won't expect a lot from us,  cause they don't know us and probably don't watch our games so that releases a lot of pressure on us and that's how we went through the qualification stage unbeaten."

Also, he expressed his gratitude and his reasons he chose to represent Burundi. 

"As a young child I had a dream of playing in Europe and when God gave me that opportunity it changed my life; I  played for England from U16 to U21. 

Burundi has always been my homeland and to Captain Burundi to this major tournament is a dream come through for me. 

With my experience I've gained playing in Europe, I am sure I can pass down the experience to my teammates". 

Sadio Berahino speaking again to news men about their chances against the three-time African Champions and their preparations. 

The preparation that we've done, we've looked at Nigeria and their strength and weaknesses. 

The coach did a brilliant job to prepare us for this game. 

We played a good game against Tunisia. 

We gonna grow in confidence against Nigeria, they're a big nation and have got a lot of history but football is a 90 minutes game and we're going to stand tall like we've done against other nations and let the best team win. 

Nigeria vs Burundi - 6p Nigerian Time. 

Asuzu Emmanuel