Senegal vs Burundi

Senegal and Burundi will clash in the last match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in the Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade on Tuesday.

This much-fought match will not affect their qualification status in any way, for the hosts have already booked their place in the tournament, while the visitor have mathematically ruled themselves out of the possibility of qualifying for the tournament.

Senegal was already through to the 2023 AFCON in the last window after beating Malawi, so only pride and the top spot was up for grabs when they faced Burkina Faso last Thursday.

With 10 points each, it was level but with the Lions of Teranga being second due to a low goal-difference – but with 90 minutes on the clock Pape Thiaw’s men went to the top of the group beating the Stallions of Burkina Faso 1-0 through a 28-year-old striker Mouhamadou Diarra’s 83rd-minute clincher.

This means that ensuring they maintain this position will be the goal when they come up against Burundi at home on Tuesday, and what they will have in mind is that a draw will suffice.

Thiaw is expected to afford little-known players a try in this match, but he is also likely to assemble a formidable side that would help the Lions of Teranga overrun Tuesday’s rivals, having beaten them in the three previous meetings.

Further, for Senegal the main motivation will be to sustain their good record where they have not lost a game after the full 90 minutes since September 2023 when they conceded a defeat 1-0 against Algeria in an international friendly friendly match; a records which shows their successful performance for the last seventeen matches out of which they have triumphed four times in a row.

Burundi defeated Malawi 3-2 on September 5 to begin their AFCON qualification campaign, but things have since taken a turn for the worst as Les Hirondelles have lost all four of their subsequent games.

In the doubleheader in October, a 1-0 loss to Senegal was followed by back-to-back losses to Burkina Faso, which put an end to any aspirations of making a second appearance at the AFCON next year.

Last Thursday's goalless stalemate with Malawi finally put a stop to Patrick Sangwa's team's three-match losing streak, but their winless run now stands at four games.

Burundi lost 3-1 on their only trip to Senegal in 2015, so getting a win away from home will be a major challenge for them. Burundi's only victory in this AFCON qualification campaign came on the road.

Even though a second-string team is primarily anticipated, Sadio Mane, a former Liverpool winger, has scored three goals for Senegal in this competition and is anticipated to get another chance to increase his total.

Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea may also start, giving him another opportunity to add to his one goal to date. Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace and Iliman Ndiaye of Everton are also in the running to keep their positions in the attack.

Youssouf Ndayishimiye, a good defender, was expected to start in midfield on Tuesday after playing in that position in Burundi's draw with Malawi.