Senegal’s final Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier against Burundi has been rescheduled to November 19, following a request by the Senegalese Football Federation to avoid a clash with the country’s early legislative elections. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved the date change, allowing Senegalese citizens to vote on November 17 without coinciding with the much-anticipated fixture.
The match, originally scheduled to take place on election day, will now kick off two days later at 7 p.m. GMT at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium.
The decision was made to prioritize the electoral process, in which Senegalese voters will select their deputies for the National Assembly.
This adjustment follows closely on the heels of Senegal’s critical match against Burkina Faso, set for November 14 in Bamako.
With both games determining final standings in the AFCON qualifiers, the rescheduling ensures that the Lions of Teranga can fully focus on both encounters.
CAF Grants Senegal’s Request Amid Political and Sporting Demands
Given the importance of the legislative elections in Senegal, the Senegalese Football Federation approached CAF with a request to move the match date, a request that was accepted in light of the dual national interests.
Senegal’s domestic agenda on November 17 will now be solely focused on the elections, alleviating logistical pressures on the national team and fans alike.
In a report by Le Quotidien, it was confirmed that the match will now occur five days after Senegal’s high-stakes encounter with Burkina Faso, a match that many expect to be decisive in Group L standings.
Senegal and Burkina Faso have both secured their qualifications for the tournament in Morocco, yet the battle for group supremacy adds intensity to both fixtures.
High Stakes for Senegal’s Closing Qualifiers
The rescheduling gives the Senegalese team a breather between their back-to-back fixtures, providing additional time to recover from the anticipated challenges in Bamako.
Interim coach Pape Thiaw, who recently took over from Aliou Cissé, will be scrutinized for his strategic approach to these pivotal matches, with his coaching style and player selections under close observation.
In Bamako, Senegal will face Burkina Faso in a game of critical significance, even as both teams have secured their places at AFCON 2025.
The matchup promises to test the depth and adaptability of Thiaw’s squad, with the final positioning within Group L at stake.
After that, the Lions will turn their attention to Burundi, determined to finish the qualification round on a high note in front of a home crowd at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium.
The decision to prioritize the legislative elections underscores the delicate balance between national duties and sporting commitments for Senegal.
With the final fixtures set, fans and players alike now look forward to a pair of defining games that will close out Senegal’s AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign.
