Football

A journey of resilience for Burundian striker Saido Berahino

by
Jane Wangechi
December 14, 2023

Saido Berahino. Photo/Sky Sports

He is a Burundian footballer
He plays as a striker for AEL Limassol and the Burundi national team
He also captains the Burundi national team

Saido Benahino is a Burundian professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for AEL Limassol and captains the Burundi national team. Berahino lost his father during the Burundi civil war when he was four years old and his family sought asylum in Birmingham, England.

On getting to England, football became Saido’s solace and he joined West Bromwich Albion academy, eventually making his senior debut. His performance became the centre of attraction for major European clubs.

He joined Stoke City on a transfer fee of $22 million but his career at the club was a bit of a struggle as he was not able to meet the team’s expectations as he was only able to score 10 goals in 46 appearances in over three seasons. Berahino was on loan spells at As Saint Etienne and on ending his contract with Stoke City, he joined Belgian club SV Zulte Waregem for three seasons.

The striker then joined AEL Limassol where he currently plays. He represented England at the Under-21 level and on receiving a senior call-up, he switched his allegiance to Burundi and is currently the captain of the team.

Berahino Educational Background

Berahino was born in Burundi, but the family fled to England because of the civil war that was going on in his country and as a result, he lost his father. On getting to England, he was enrolled at the Aston Manor School in Birmingham, England.

Sadio Berahino. Photo/Sky Sports

At the school, the player achieved ten GCSE qualifications, demonstrating his dedication to academics alongside his football pursuits. He joined the West Bromwich Albion Centre of Excellence where he focused on his football career. This could be the reason he did not further his academics as most of his time was dedicated to his football training.

Saido Berahino Personal Life

Saido Berahino was born on August 4 1993 in Bujumbura, Burundi. His father tragically passed away during the Burundian Civil War when he was only four years old. His mother Liliane fled the conflict with Saido and his siblings eventually seeking asylum in Birmingham, England. Life in England was not easy as his mother had to establish something to take care of her children.

He was enrolled at the Aston Manor School in Birmingham, England. At the school, the player achieved ten GCSE qualifications, demonstrating his dedication to academics alongside his football pursuits. He joined the West Bromwich Albion Centre of Excellence where he focused on his football career. This could be the reason he did not further his academics as most of his time was dedicated to his football training.

Football became Saido’s solace and he joined West Bromwich Albion academy, eventually making his senior debut. His performance became the centre of attraction for major European clubs.

He joined Stoke City on a transfer fee of $22 million but his career at the club was a bit of a struggle as he was not able to meet the team’s expectations as he was only able to score 10 goals in 46 appearances in over three seasons. The striker was on loan spells at As Saint Etienne and on ending his contract with Stoke City, he joined Belgian club SV Zulte Waregem for three seasons.

Saido Berahino. Photo/X.com

Saido Berahino Career

Berahino joined the West Bromwich Albion Centre of Excellence where he made his professional debut. He joined Stoke City on a transfer fee of $22 million and was sent on a loan spell at AS Saint Etienne. He then joined Belgian club SV Zulte Waregem for three seasons and recently joined AEL Limassol where he currently plays.

Berahino represented England at the Under-21 level and on receiving a senior call-up, he switched his allegiance to Burundi and is currently the captain of the team.