Senegal come from behind to ease previous Sudan 3-1 and e-book their place within the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals.
Revealed On 3 Jan 2026
Pape Gueye scored twice, and teenager Ibrahim Mbaye grabbed the winner 4 minutes after coming off the bench to clinch a 3-1 victory for Senegal over Sudan in Tangier within the first Africa Cup of Nations last-16 match.
Rattled by an early Aamir Abdallah aim for Sudan on Saturday, Senegal recovered to steer 2-1 at half-time via Pape Gueye’s objectives. Mbaye then put the end result past doubt after 77 minutes.
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Former champions Senegal will face Mali or Tunisia, who meet in Casablanca afterward Saturday, within the quarterfinals.
It was predicable end result as Senegal are 99 locations increased on the earth rankings than Sudan, who had been representing a rustic ravaged by civil struggle since April 2023.
Senegal made six modifications to the group that began a 3-0 win over Botswana of their remaining group match. A notable absentee was suspended captain and centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly.
Ghana-born Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah retained solely one of many group that started a 2-0 loss to Burkina Faso – ahead Abdallah.
It was the primary assembly of the international locations at an AFCON tournament. They had been in the identical 2026 World Cup qualifying group, although, with Senegal profitable at house and drawing away.
Sudan rocked Senegal by taking a sixth-minute lead via Abdallah, a semi-professional who performs for an Australian second-tier membership in Melbourne.
It was an outstanding aim because the Sudan striker took possession simply inside the realm and curled the ball over former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and into the online.
Sudan had certified for the knockout stage as top-of-the-line 4 third-placed nations regardless of failing to attain in three group matches. An personal aim introduced victory over Equatorial Guinea.
A courageous save from Monged Abuzaid on 29 minutes foiled Nicolas Jackson, who’s on mortgage to Bayern Munich from Chelsea, however Senegal equalised nearly instantly after.
Former African participant of the 12 months Sadio Mane arrange Pape Gueye, who equalised with a low shot into the nook of the online.
Senegal had been attacking constantly whereas Sudan had little to supply going ahead in a match watched by Confederation of African Soccer (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe from South Africa.
The Mauritanian referee pointed to the penalty spot after Ismaila Sarr was fouled by Abuzaid. Nevertheless, the choice was reversed after a protracted VAR evaluate revealed a Senegalese participant was offside within the buildup.
Ismaila Sarr from Crystal Palace then scored, solely to be dominated offside in one other let-off for the Sudanese.
Abuzaid was continuously in motion and did properly to push away a Pape Gueye shot with an outstretched proper hand as half-time approached.
There was nonetheless time for Pape Gueye to attain once more, nevertheless, and provides Senegal a half-time benefit within the Mediterranean metropolis.
The aim was brilliantly executed by the midfielder from La Liga membership Villarreal three minutes into added time. He used his left foot to side-foot a cross into the online previous Abuzaid.
Senegal launched Mbaye halfway via the second half as they sought the insurance coverage of a 3rd aim. He made an instantaneous affect, latching on to a protracted go and beating Abuzaid at his close to put up.
The 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain ahead represented France at age-limit ranges earlier than switching his worldwide allegiance to Senegal, the place his father was born.
