Saido Berahino's decision to play for the country his family fled when he was 10 paid off at the weekend as the Stoke forward helped Burundi qualify for their first-ever African Nations Cup finals.

A 1-1 draw at home to Gabon in Bujumbura on Saturday ensured qualification for Burundi, sparking wild celebrations in the east African country.

"It's amazing, I cannot find the words. I need to take myself away for a moment to try and properly realise what has happened because I have not really been...

Burundi qualified for the African Nations Cup finals for the first time as they kept Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in check to get the point they needed in a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

The result secured them second place in Group C to join Madagascar and Mauritania as countries going to the finals for the first time and their achievement sparked wild celebrations in the tiny east African country.

They were joined later on Saturday by Cameroon, Guinea Bissau and Namibia, who qualified despite...

Nicholas Musonye, the Secretary General of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations believes the region is braced for a 'new chapter' of success in continental competitions.

The region's teams have largely fared well during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda all still firmly in the running for next year's showpiece.

Sudan and South Sudan are both out of the running, while Rwanda and Ethiopia have their work cut out to qualify.

"We...

Saido Berahino marked his international debut for Burundi with the opening goal in their 1-1 draw away in Gabon on Saturday, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalising for the hosts.

The 25-year-old Berahino moved to England from Burundi when he was 10 to escape civil war in his homeland, and represented the Three Lions at various age groups up to U-21 level.

He was also named in a full England squad by Roy Hodgson for a Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia, but didn't get off the bench.

The Stoke...

BUJUMBURA -- Forward Saido Berahino is eligible to play for Burundi in next month's African Nations Cup qualifiers after FIFA approved his application to switch international allegiance, the country's football federation said on Monday.

The 25-year-old former England Under-21 international had applied for the change as his chances of winning a full England cap receded. He had previously turned down approaches from Burundi.

The Stoke City player could debut next month for the country of his birth,...