Senegal comfortably beat Burundi 2-0 in their final AFCON qualifying match, with Habib Diarra delivering a stunning performance, scoring two beautiful chip goals.
After a slow start, Senegal dominated the second half, and Diarra’s brilliance ensured the team finished their campaign on a perfect note.
Coach Pape Thiaw made several changes to the squad, with Abdou Diallo, Pape Matar Sarr, Habib Diarra, and Cherif Ndiaye replacing Moussa Niakhaté, Pape Guèye, Ismaïla Sarr, and Nicolas Jackson. The new additions paid off, with Diarra in particular shining as a playmaker.
The game saw a controlled performance from Senegal, with Edouard Mendy experiencing little pressure from a lackluster Burundi attack. The Senegalese defense, led by Kalidou Koulibaly and Abdou Diallo, was solid throughout.
Mendy was rarely called into action but remained composed in aerial situations. Defensively, Senegal had little trouble dealing with Burundi’s minimal offensive threat.
Krépin Diatta contributed effectively in attack, often linking up with Iliman Ndiaye and Diarra to create opportunities on the right flank. Although quieter in the second half, Diatta continued to solidify his right side defensively.
Meanwhile, the defensive partnership of Koulibaly and Diallo was rock-solid, with the pair ensuring that Burundi had few chances to threaten the goal.
In midfield, Idrissa Gana Gueye’s experience was invaluable, helping with transitions and ball retention, though he struggled with set pieces. Pape Matar Sarr was less influential, committing several fouls and failing to meet his usual high standards.
Diarra, however, was the standout player of the night, scoring two magnificent chip goals. His performance was the highlight of the match, as he sealed Senegal’s victory and demonstrated his immense potential.
Sadio Mané, despite his efforts, failed to make a significant impact, and Cherif Ndiaye, in his first start, was not able to capitalize on his physical presence, although he contributed as a pivot in attack.
Here are the player ratings for Senegal’s 2-0 win over Burundi:
Players Ratings
Edouard Mendy (6/10): Calm and composed, Mendy had very little to do but stayed alert.
Krépin Diatta (6/10): Involved in several offensive plays but less effective in the second half, defensively solid.
Abdou Diallo (6/10): Solid in defense, good technique in distribution, proving his worth as a reliable defender.
Kalidou Koulibaly (7/10): Strong and reliable, dominated in the air and played a key role in ball progression.
El Hadji Malick Diouf (6/10): Defensively solid, though he lacked inspiration in attack alongside Sadio Mané.
Idrissa Gana Gueye (6/10): Solid in transition, though he struggled with set-piece deliveries.
Pape Matar Sarr (5/10): Below par, committing many fouls and not having the impact expected in midfield.
Habib Diarra (9/10): The star of the match, scoring two exquisite chip goals and providing an outstanding playmaking performance.
Iliman Ndiaye (6/10): Showed promise in the first half, creating chances, including an assist for Diarra’s first goal.
Sadio Mané (5/10): Struggled to make a mark on the game, despite some good link-up play with Malick Diouf.
Cherif Ndiaye (5/10): A quiet debut start, he showed good hold-up play but couldn’t capitalize on opportunities.
Abdoulaye Seck (7/10): Came on for Koulibaly and continued his solid work at the back.
Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly (N/A): Substituted late and assisted Diarra’s second goal.
Habib Diallo (N/A): Came on late for Ndiaye, but had little impact.
Lamine Camara (N/A): Replaced Diarra and saw out the final moments of the match.
