2025 AFCON: Controversial penalty saves Senegal from embarressment
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 09.09.24. | 18:20
Sadio Mane was kicked in the head and Teranga Lions converted the penalty spot into a 1-0 win
It looked like Senegal will have an easy task in their second AFCON qualifying game. The Teranga Lions are AFON champions from 2021 and possess a formidable team with the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaïla Sarr, Sadio Mané, Idrissa Gueye, Lamine Camara, Pape Gueye, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté and Edouard Mendy. They made an unpleasant surprise to their fans by drawing 1-1 at home with Burkina Faso in the first round and three points against Burundi was expected. But, the 139th FIFA ranked team efectivelly shut down Senegal and if it wasnt for a reckless start from Nsabiyumva and the absence of VAR, the game would finish with a goalless draw. But the Swallows failed and eventually lost: Burundi – Senegal 0-1.
⚽️ Ismaila Sarr | Burundi 0-1 Senegalpic.twitter.com/TlG2ithG4E
— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) September 9, 2024
It was probably the most boring game this season for Mane and co. As the home team shut down all Senegal stars and made them look like second league players and not Premier League ones. For example, Nicolas Jackson had only 22 touches and two shots on target before being subbed after one hour. Nothing really happened on both sides of the pitch as the Teranga Lions couldn‘t create a decent chance while the Swallows didn‘t have the quality to do anything.
71’: Burundi 🇧🇮 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳
— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) September 9, 2024
The Burundi 🇧🇮 team was furious after this penalty call led to a penalty kick conversion by Ismaïla Sarr 🇸🇳.
Senegal get the goal they need and Burundi have work to do if they want a result in Malawi.
Correct decision?#AFCON2025Q #AFCONQ2025 pic.twitter.com/ObZJKE4jeA
The only interesting moment from the whole match was the controversial penalty in the 71st minute, when Nsabiyumva completely missed the ball and hit Sadio Mane in the head. The referee, who was just meters away pointed at the spot, but VAR was missing as the home players argued that the foul was on the brink of the penalty area. However, the referee was firm and Sadio Mane took the ball, but was ordered to go off the field. Since he was hit in the head, the rules were that the doctor has to come straight to the field and when the examination was done, Mane also had to come off the pitch in order to come back in. So, after another minutes of arguing, former Liverpool and Bayern forward came out and Crystal Palace‘s Ismaïla Sarr converted the penalty instead of him. Senegal tried to get the second goal but that didn‘t happen and they are lucky to get a three points and a penalty from this match.
2025 AFCON QUALIFICATIONS:
Group L:
Burundi - Senegal 0-1 (0-0)
/Sarr (p) 71/
