The Burundi national team claims to have canceled the friendly against Kenya on FIFA Matchday due to a request from the Kenya Football Federation (FKF) to play the match in Indonesia.
This was revealed by the Secretary General of the Burundi Football Federation (FFB), Jeremie Manirakiza, to Kenyan media, Mozzart Sport.
“FKF asked us to change it and play in Indonesia,” said Manirakiza.
Kenya and Burundi previously agreed to play two FIFA Matchday friendly matches in Nairobi on March 25 and 28. This was the Kenyan national team’s first friendly match in more than a year after being hit by a FIFA ban.
The new coach of the Kenyan national team, Engin Firat, even said last weekend that his team would have a trial against Burundi. Interestingly, at the same time, PSSI stated that they would face the Burundi national team in the FIFA Matchday 25 and 28 March.
FKF then, through Pharis Kimaru, who acted as communications director, denied Burundi’s claim that the FIFA Matchday Kenya vs Burundi was canceled because FKF wanted to play in Indonesia.
“We will immediately issue a complete official statement on this matter on Tuesday,” Kimaru said as quoted by Nation Africa.
PSSI itself has confirmed that the two Indonesia vs Burundi matches will be held at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi.
“After we carried out direct checks and discussions, we chose Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi as the location for the FIFA Match Day match against Burundi,” said Deputy Chairman of PSSI Zainudin Amali.
Burundi is currently ranked 141st in the FIFA rankings, while Indonesia is still ranked 151st in the FIFA rankings.
Source : CNN