AFCON 2025: Dominant Senegal sweep aside Sudan to secure quarterfinal place
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 03.01.26. | 21:31
The 2021 champions had to break sweat for their victory, coming from a goal down to secure passage to the last eight
Senegal produced a superb performance to secure a 3-1 victory over Sudan in a pulsating Round of 16 encounter at Grande Stade de Tanger.
Brace from Pape Gueye and Ibrahim Mbaye proved decisive as Pape Bouba Thiaw’s side extended their dominance over Sudan to eight consecutive matches, as well as earned them a place in the quarterfinals.
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With a quarter-finals berth on the line, both teams entered the contest desperate for victory.
Senegal arrived in fine form at the 2025 AFCON, unbeaten in their group with two wins and a draw.
Sudan, meanwhile, had advanced as one of the best third-placed teams, aiming to end a seven-match winless streak against the Teranga Lions and chase a long-awaited second AFCON title, elusive for over five decades.
True to its billing, the match began at a blistering pace.
Sudan drew first blood when Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed of Al-Merrikh SC expertly finished a split pass past Jacobs Júnior and a diving Édouard Mendy, sending shockwaves through the Senegal ranks.
The opener, however, galvanized the Teranga Lions.
Senegal responded swiftly, with Ismaïla Sarr forcing a smart save from Sudan’s Ali Abu Aglah Monged in the ninth minute, followed by a curling effort from Sadio Mane three minutes later that Monged tipped over.
Senegal created several chances, with Moussa Diatta and Nicholas Jackson coming agonizingly close to leveling the scores.
Their persistence paid off in the 29th minute. Pape Gueye, perfectly set up by Mane, struck a low, powerful drive from the edge of the box, leaving Monged helpless.
Senegal continued to press, with a VAR-overturned penalty for offside denying them a chance to double their lead, but the Teranga Lions remained relentless.
Just before halftime, Gueye doubled his tally, tapping in Jackson’s incisive cutback to give Senegal a well-deserved 2-1 lead.
The goal sent Senegal into the break with momentum firmly on their side.
The second half saw Sudan attempt to claw back into the game.
Mohamed Abdelrahman Masaeed and Sheddy Bakhet both tested Mendy, who remained vigilant to preserve his team’s lead.
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Senegal, for their part, continued to threaten, with Boulaye Dia, Moussa Niakhaté, and Ibrahim Mbaye coming close to extending the advantage.
With ten minutes remaining, Senegal sealed the contest.
Ibrahim Mbaye, orchestrated by Mane, calmly controlled the ball, dribbled past defenders, and unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner, making it 3-1 and effectively ending Sudan’s hopes.
Senegal’s clinical display underlined their status as tournament favourites, blending tactical discipline with moments of individual brilliance.
Sudan’s fightback was spirited but ultimately fell short, leaving the Lions of Teranga as the first team to secure a place in the 2025 AFCON quarter-finals.
The result not only extends Senegal’s impressive unbeaten run over Sudan but also reinforces their credentials as serious contenders for the continental crown, setting up an eagerly anticipated quarter-final clash.
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