In a tightly contested match on Monday, Burundi fell 1-0 to Senegal in their second game of the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The match was held at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Burundi made a strong start, pressuring Senegal early on. Despite this initial burst, Senegal managed to find their footing as the game progressed. With notable efforts from Sadio Mané and his teammates, Senegal dominated possession and recorded 21 shots, though they struggled to breach Burundi’s well-organized defense.
The first half saw Burundi’s goalkeeper, Mattéo Nkurunziza, make a crucial save against a tight-angle shot from Mané, keeping the score level at halftime.
The second half presented both teams with key opportunities. Senegal’s Nicolas Jackson missed a prime chance to score, while Burundi’s Jean Claude Girumugisha narrowly missed a lob attempt over Senegal’s goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy.
The turning point came in the 71st minute when a Burundian defender’s high foot fouled Mané in the box. Although Mané wanted to take the penalty himself, it was Ismaïla Sarr who stepped up and scored, securing the win for Senegal.
Despite the defeat, Burundi’s defense showed resilience throughout the match. Senegal’s victory puts them at the top of Group L with four points, while Burundi is in second place with three points.
The Burundian team will look to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.