CHAN2024: 10-man Senegal seal quarters ticket alongside Sudan after barren draw

Sudan and Senegal sealed the only remaining two quarter-final slots of the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) as the curtains drew on the group stage matches.

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This is after both nations battled to a barren draw at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, Tanzania, leaving Sudan as the Group D leaders while Senegal finished second by virtue of an inferior goal difference.

Heading into Tuesday's match, none of the teams had secured a slot in the last eight as group leaders Sudan had four points, the same as Senegal, while Congo were third with two points.

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Both Senegal and Sudan were assured of qualification, as long as Congo failed to win and in Sudan's case, with a big margin.

The match started evenly with neither side willing to take early risks, lest they get caught on the counterattack and lose their advantage.

Nevertheless, by the 10th minute, Senegal began exerting their dominance in the match by having more possession of the ball, but the game had no shots on target by the quarter-hour mark.

Senegalese midfielder Mbaye Yaye was the first to enter the referee's book for a strong tackle on Ahmed Tabanja in the 17th minute.

Four minutes later, Senegal registered the match's first shot on target through Libasse Gueye’s low shot, but Mahamed Abooja made a comfortable save.

In the 26th minute, Sudan also got their first caution when Mazen Simbo was booked after he made a strong challenge on the edge of the penalty area. The resultant free kick was, however, wasted by Senegal.

In the 43rd minute, Sudan thought they were awarded a penalty after Oumar Ba was adjudged to have pushed Walieldin Khidir from the back.

However, as Khidir was preparing to take the kick, the referee was advised to wait for a VAR check, which recommended that he take a second look at the incident.

Upon review, the referee rescinded his decision, noting minimal contact resulting in a barren draw at halftime.

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In the second half, Senegal continued with their dominance in possession, but the Sudan defensive set-up was equal to the task to prevent any early damage.

By the hour mark, Senegal had increased their tempo and attacking urgency but lacked precision in the final third to produce a goal.

Sudan, who did not have much possession, were, however, the more threatening side and likely to score, proving dangerous on the counterattack.

In the 93rd minute, Senegal's Mbaye Yaya was sent off for a second bookable offense after a crunching tackle on Mohamed Al Rashed but the Lions of Teranga held on for the barren draw.

Nigeria 2-0 Congo (Brazaville)

In the other match of the day, Nigeria concluded their CHAN tournament with a 2-0 win over Congo.

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A 56th-minute strike by Anas Yusuf of Nassrawa United and a 93rd-minute goal by Alimi Sikiri was all that Nigeria needed to wipe their tears as they exited the biennial continental tourney together with Congo.

Congo's misery was piled up by Charles Atipo’s 92nd-minute red card, a few seconds before Nigeria scored their second goal.

With the results, Sudan are top of Group D with five points and will face Algeria in the quarter final on Saturday 23 August at the Amaan Stadium from 2000hrs.

As for Senegal, they will face Uganda in a quarter-final clash set for the same day at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Namboole.