The first half ended scoreless, but this scoreline changed when the Coach Emmanuel Amuneketutored Flying Eagles grabbed the winning goal in the 64th minute of play through ex-Golden Eaglets star, Agor Chukwudi, who broke the deadlock of the contest at the Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium.
Burundi had thrown the gates opened for U-20 AFCON qualifier so as to get massive support, as they aimed to upset the favourites Nigerian team in front of their home fans.
The host team, the Young Swallows, had also hoped that the high altitude would work against a team who last year won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in style.
Despite its high altitude, which places additional demands on physical exercises like playing football, Bujumbura has an average weather temperature of about 29 degrees, which is warm.
Both teams did not kick a ball to reach the second round of the U20 AFCON qualifiers after Burundi walked over DR Congo and defending champions Nigeria drew bye.
Nigeria are the defending champions of the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations after beating Senegal in the 2015 final and had won the title for a record seven times.
The second leg will be played in the southern coastal town of Calabar next month with the overall winners squaring up with Sudan for a place in the tournament proper in Zambia next year.
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