Abdul Razak, Burundi’s favourite son

At the tender age of 24, Burundi striker Fiston Abdul Razak carries the hopes of a nation that has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup™ or the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. A firm favourite with the Swallows’ fans, he has scored in six of his country’s last seven games, and currently tops the scoring charts in the qualifiers for the 2017 continental finals, his haul of five goals leaving the likes of Islam Slimani, Youssef El Arabi and Stephane Sessegnon trailing in his wake.

“I am proud of that but it’s something that pushes me on, that makes me want to do even better,” the man himself told FIFA.com on the eve of his side’s crucial AFCON qualifier against Senegal. Burundi lie second in Group K behind the Lions of Teranga, with Niger and Namibia completing the section. “I just want to get as far as I can,” he added. “Making progress is what matters to me and I want my country to do the same.” Born in the Burundian capital of Bujumbura, Abdul Razak has been making progress ever since he was a young boy, with his career having taken him to the South African league, where he has been plying his trade since 2015. “I’ve been gradually working my way up: I started in the street with my friends, then I played school football and club football, …

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