AFCON 2025: Senegal Fight Back To Knock Out Sudan

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By Sedara Philip

Senegal showed their championship pedigree as they recovered from an early setback to defeat Sudan 3–1 and book a place in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday night in Tangier, Morocco.

Heavy favourites heading into the Round of 16 clash, the Lions of Teranga were stunned inside the opening six minutes when Aamir Abdallah fired Sudan into a shock lead. However, a dominant response led by midfielder Pape Gueye, who scored twice in the first half, turned the contest on its head before substitute Ibrahim Mbaye sealed the victory late on.

Sudan made a dream start under coach James Kwesi Appiah, bursting out of the blocks with confidence and intensity. Their early pressure was rewarded when Abdallah received the ball on the right side of the penalty area, created space for himself and curled a sublime finish beyond the outstretched Édouard Mendy to send the Sudanese bench into raptures.

The goal jolted Senegal into action. The 2021 champions gradually asserted control, pinning Sudan back with wave after wave of attacks. In the 29th minute, goalkeeper Monged Elneel produced a fine save to deny Nicolas Jackson, but the reprieve was short-lived. Moments later, Sadio Mané teed up Gueye, who rifled a precise low strike from 18 yards to restore parity.

Senegal thought they had edged ahead soon after, only for VAR interventions to deny them on two occasions. The breakthrough eventually came in first-half stoppage time when Gueye struck again, finishing brilliantly from Jackson’s cross to hand Aliou Cissé’s side a deserved 2–1 lead at the interval.

Sudan attempted to regroup after the break and showed flashes of energy early in the second half, but Senegal’s superiority soon told. Controlling possession and dictating the tempo, the West Africans patiently waited for their moment to kill the game.

That moment arrived in the 77th minute. Substitute Ibrahim Mbaye, introduced just minutes earlier, exploited space down the right flank before calmly slotting past Elneel to make it 3–1 and put the result beyond doubt.

Despite the defeat, Sudan earned plaudits for a spirited and disciplined campaign, pushing one of Africa’s strongest sides for long spells. Senegal, meanwhile, continue their quest for another continental crown and will now face the winner of the Tunisia vs Mali clash in the quarterfinals, scheduled for January 9 in Tangier.