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Sao suffer 4–0 defeat to Burundi in AFCON qualifier

March 27, 2026

By Djinodji SOLMENGAR Rodrigue

Chad’s national team lost 4–0 to Burundi on Friday in a preliminary match for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, a fixture the Prime Minister had earlier described as a ‘turning point‘ in the campaign.

Jordi Liongola opened the scoring with a free kick from about 20 metres. Bienvenue Kanakimana made it 2–0 before half-time, with an assist from Elie Mokono.

Burundi continued their dominance after the break. Abdoul Karim scored in the 63rd minute, and Mossi Nduwumwe added a fourth goal in the 75th minute.

Chad pushed forward but failed to create clear chances. Midfielder Ecua Célestin stood out with his effort.

Apart from Célestin Ecua, who showed something and brought a bit of satisfaction, the rest did not deliver, head coach Raoul Savoy said after the match.

Burundi’s head coach also criticised the team’s preparation conditions.

We requested twice to train on the pitch, but it was not granted. They thought they were punishing us, he said.

The match drew a moderate crowd despite free entry. Many fans showed frustration at the final whistle.

Chad will travel to Burundi on March 28 for the return leg, scheduled for March 31, 2027.

Djinodji Solmengar

Djinodji Solmengar

Djinodji Solmengar Rodrigue is a journalist with MRTV English, Chad’s first English-language media outlet, where he led English-language news coverage at its launch. Based in N’Djamena, his reporting explores political, economic, and social developments, with particular attention to everyday realities, informal sectors, and cultural life. His work also extends to football and broader societal issues, approached through field reporting and in-depth storytelling. Beyond reporting, Djinodji regularly conducts interviews focused on education, including the teaching of English in Chad, as well as conversations (with AFROTRONIX, to name a few) on culture and music. He is also active as an English–French interpreter, working alongside international media professionals. In this capacity, he recently supported and interpreted for a delegation of foreign journalists, including BBC representatives, during the PND Chad Connexion 2030 mission. Alongside his professional practice, Djinodji is pursuing a PhD, with research centered on the presence of China and Russia in Africa as portrayed in selected Commonwealth online media. His academic interests lie at the intersection of media, geopolitics, and discourse analysis. Earlier in his career, he taught English and authored a Master’s thesis examining the contextualization of English language teaching in Chad, reflecting a sustained engagement with educational challenges and policy.

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