Senegal registered their first victory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers after downing a stubborn Burundi 1-0 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi on Monday.
Ismaïla Sarr, who recently signed for Premier League outfit Crystal Palace, scored the all important goal in the 71st minute after converting from the penalty spot.
The Teranga Lions were desperate to bounce back against the Swallows, who went into the fixture top of Group L after an impressive 3-2 away win against Malawi in their opener.
Heading into the fixture, Aliou Cisse’s men had just lost once in full-time over their previous twenty-three games.
Senegal finished at the top of their group in their last appearance in this tournament, securing fourteen points from a combined eighteen.
Burundi starting XI: Mattéo Nkurunziza, Akbar Muderi, Frédéric Nsabiyumva, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Prince Musore, B. Kanakimana, A. Bigirimana, H. Msanga, M. Eldhino, J. Liongola, Saidi Ntibazonk.
Subs: Jonathan Nahimana, Aruna Mussa, Derrick Mukombozi, Elvis Kamsoba, Hussein Shabani, Keita Bukuru, Trésor Mossi, Jean Claude Girumugisha, Mohamed Amissi, Kessy Jordan Nimbona, Abdourahmani Rukundo, Abdoul Manirakoze.
Senegal starting XI: Edouard Mendy, Formose Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté, Ismail Jakobs, Ismaïla Sarr, Idrissa Gueye, Mamadou Lamine Camara, Pape Gueye, Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson.
Subs: Seny Dieng, Seydou Sano, Abdou Diallo, Ismaila Ciss, Nampalys Mendy, Abdallah Sima, Pape Matar Sarr, Habib Diarra, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Habib Diallo, Iliman Ndiaye, Cherif Ndiaye.