Teranga Lions close out Afcon qualifiers with victory

Senegal brought the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers to a close on Tuesday night with a 2-0 win over Burundi at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium in Dakar.

Two goals from Habib Diarra secured the triumph for the Teranga Lions, who were already guaranteed of top spot in Group L ahead of fellow qualifiers Burkina Faso. The two West African sides will go on to participate alongside 22 other nations in the next Afcon, which will be played in Morocco in late 2025 and early 2026.

Senegal dominated from the early stages but had to wait until the 35th minute to break the deadlock, with Iliman Ndiaye teeing up Habib Diarra to score the opener.

Burundi offered little in attack through the first half, and were also unfortunate to lose midfielder Youssouf Ndayishimiye to injury, necessitating the early introduction of Tresor Mossi.

The Teranga Lions introduced Cheikh Sabaly off the bench at the start of the second half and he quickly made a major impact, providing an assist for Diarra to net his second goal on 51 minutes to put the home side in firm control.

The West African heavyweights saw out the rest of the game in comfort to record a fifth win from six unbeaten matches in Group L, underlining their status as one of the teams capable of claiming the trophy in Morocco 2025.

Senegal: (1) 2 (H. Diarra 35’ 51’)

Burundi: 0

Senegal: E. Mendy, A. Diallo, H. Diarra (L. Camara 70’), K. Diatta, M. Diouf, I. Gueye, K. Koulibaly (A. Seck 69’), S. Mane, C. Ndiaye (H. Diallo 77’), I. Ndiaye (C. Sabaly 46’), P. Sarr (P. Ciss 87’)

Burundi: J. Nahimana, B. Bimenyimana (P. Niyongabire 62’), M. Eldhino, L. Jordi (C. Girumugisha 62’), B. Kanakimana (A. Manirakoze), O. Moussa, A. Muderi, S. Nahimana (K. Bukuru 88’), Y. Ndayishimiye (T. Mossi 19’), C. Nduwarugira, F. Nsabiyumva.