AFCON 2025: Senegal defeat Sudan 3–1 to advance to quarter final

Teenager Ibrahim Mbaye struck four minutes after coming off the bench to seal a 3-1 victory for Senegal over Sudan in Tangiers on Saturday, in the opening Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) last-16 clash.

The 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward had previously represented France at youth levels before switching allegiance to Senegal, his father’s homeland.

Former champions Senegal will face the winner of the Mali-Tunisia last-16 tie in Casablanca later on Saturday.

Sudan took an early lead through Aamir Abdallah, but Senegal fought back to lead 2-1 at halftime thanks to a Pape Gueye brace. Mbaye’s strike in the 77th minute put the outcome beyond doubt.

The result was widely expected, as Senegal sit 99 places above Sudan in the FIFA world rankings. The visitors were representing a nation still recovering from civil war since April 2023.

Senegal made six changes from the side that defeated Botswana 3-0 in the final group match, with suspended captain and centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly among the absentees.

Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah, born in Ghana, retained only forward Abdallah from the team that lost 2-0 to Burkina Faso.

It was the first meeting between the nations at an AFCON tournament, though they were in the same 2026 World Cup qualifying group, with Senegal winning at home and drawing away.

Sudan shocked Senegal with a sixth-minute opener from Abdallah, a semi-professional playing in Australia’s second tier. The striker controlled the ball inside the area and curled a superb finish over former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Sudan had advanced to the knockout stage as one of the best four third-placed teams, despite failing to score in three group matches. Their lone group victory came via an own goal against Equatorial Guinea.

Senegal equalised almost immediately after a brave save from Monged Abuzaid denied Nicolas Jackson, on loan to Bayern Munich from Chelsea. Sadio Mane then provided the assist for Pape Gueye to score with a low shot into the corner.

The Senegalese dominated possession while Sudan offered little going forward in a match watched by CAF president Patrice Motsepe.

A potential penalty for a foul on Ismaila Sarr was overturned by VAR due to an offside in the build-up. Sarr also had a goal ruled out for offside, offering Sudan brief reprieves.

Advertisement

Abuzaid remained busy, pushing away a Pape Gueye effort as halftime approached. But Senegal struck again when Gueye scored three minutes into added time, side-footing a cross from Villarreal into the net to make it 2-1.

Mbaye’s introduction midway through the second half sealed the win. The teenager latched onto a long pass and slotted past Abuzaid at the near post to confirm Senegal’s progression to the quarter-finals.