Burundi’s football federation (FFB) says domestic competition will continue until coronavirus spreads, after introducing fresh measures in a bid to finish the season amid the pandemic.
“We don’t see the use in stopping when all activities in the country are still going on as usual” Ndikuriyo Reverien, FFB president
There are three rounds of the league season remaining in the east African nation, where three people out of a population of just over 10 million have tested positive for Covid-19 so far.
The country is one of only four in the world – along with Belarus, Nicaragua and Tajikistan – where formal league football continues to be played, with all 16 first division teams in action over the weekend.
“I don’t normally bet on these leagues – Belarus, Burundi and Nicaragua – but we’re just doing this for entertainment while the other leagues are on hiatus,” said one such punter.
He says the league is set to resume for round 28 of 30 on 18-19 April, with a cup replay scheduled for next weekend when a quarter-final between Musongati and Vital’O could attract a crowd of 12,000.
Musongati – with a game in hand – are four points off the league leaders, 2018 champions Le Messager Ngozi, with three rounds to play.
