Senegal to take frustration out on Burundi?

by Graeme Jackson

Sunday Sep 08, 2024. 11:00

Senegal will aim to take out their frustration at a slow start to their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign when they face Burundi in a Group L clash at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi, on Monday 9 September.

Senegal looked to be on course for an opening home victory over Burkina Faso at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium in Dakar on Friday evening, thanks to Sadio Mane’s early goal.

However, the Stallions struck deep in injury time at the end of the game to hold the Teranga Lions to a 1-1 draw.

“[On Friday night] we deserved to win,” said Senegal coach Aliou Cisse, who was criticised for a seeming lack of a clear tactical plan.

“We are disappointed to have conceded this goal in the last minute. I accept this draw. But to say that our plan was not good… it is not true.”

Burundi, meanwhile, come into the match as the Group L leaders after they claimed an enthralling 3-2 away win over Malawi in Lilongwe on Thursday.

A Chimwemwe Idana own goal and a strike from Jean-Claude Girumugisha twice put the Swallows ahead, though they were pegged each time by the Flames. However, an 87th-minute winner from Mokono Eldino secured all three points for Burundi.

In head-to-head stats, Senegal and Burundi have met in four previous matches. The Teranga Lions have claimed three wins compared to one for the Swallows.

The teams’ most recent meeting was an AFCON qualifier in June 2016 in Bujumbura which Senegal won 2-0 thanks to goals from Sadio Mane and Mame Biram Diouf.