NO T.V. FOOTBALL COVERAGE FOR MANY!

Burundi anger at TV football cut.

Burundi's national team has never qualified for the Nations CupBurundian football fans are angry that they will not be able to watch this year's African Nations Cup matches on national television. The state broadcaster RTNB warned fans on Wednesday that it could not afford the $300,000 for the television rights. Burundi has never qualified for the competition but even during the civil war, RTNB always broadcast the matches. Fans will have to subscribe to expensive satellite channels or go to bars to watch the games.
The BBC's Gaspard Karerwa in Bujumbura says the competition is followed avidly and people are angry about the news. But given the country's erratic electricity supply and its low voltage, it would have been difficult to see the tournament even if RTNB could afford the rights, he says.
Several other countries, including Ghana and Zambia, have also had difficultly securing the rights to screen matches which kick off on Friday. More than 300,000 people were killed during Burundi's 12-year civil war which came to an end last year with the election of President Pierre Nkurunziza.
The BBC's Sport website will be following the tournament closely with live updates from every match.

BBC News Report