2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Algeria snatch draw with Burundi thanks to Boulbina's magnificent free-kick

Burundi and Algeria produced a thrilling encounter at the Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura on Tuesday 29 September, on matchday 2 of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Burundi, playing at home, got off to a flying start. The home side took the lead thanks to an unfortunate own goal by Fares Chaibi in the very first minute, 1–0.

Burundi stepped up the pace and doubled their lead a few minutes later. Jean Girumugisha extended Burundi’s lead in the 12th minute, taking the score to 2–0.

The Fennecs’ response came in the 30th minute. Mohamed Belloumi pulled one back for Algeria, bringing the score to 2–1. Burundi held on to their one-goal lead at half-time.

But Algeria found the resources they needed in the second half to level the score. An exceptional free-kick from Adil Boulbina in the 63rd minute found the back of the net to level the score for the Fennecs, 2–2.

The score remained unchanged until the final whistle. Algeria thus took a valuable point from their trip to Bujumbura.