AFCON 2025: Senegal into the last 8 after seeing off Sudan

Sudan plays the leading roles
In the preparation of this match, the commentators will have planned everything except a Senegal being led in less than ten minutes of play. And yet, that’s what Sudan did by attacking from the start the Lions who were surprised by the thunderous start of the Crocodiles.

For his 3rd selection only with Sudan, Aamir Abdallah Yunis will mark the spirits by triggering a heavy hit from the left which ended in the opposing goal of Edouard Mendy from the 6th minute of play. A first sensation in this last 16 that we could see Senegal take total control there after.

Pape Gueye awakens the Lions
With this early start, Sudan sent the message of a team that believes in their abilities and does not intend to pack  the bus against the champion of Africa 2021. But the honeymoon of Kwesi Appiah and his players in Tangier will end at the start of the half-hour of play.

Sadio Mané on an exquisite pass managed to place Pape Gueye who with a crossed shot set the clock at the 29th minute. It was his 8th decisive pass at the AFCON, making him the best passer in the history of the competition ahead of Yaya Touré (7) according to Football Stats.

But Pape Thiaw’s Senegal was not satisfied with equalizing only and pushed to lead at the break and it is again Pape Gueye this time served by Nicolas Jackson who will light the Sudanese cage with a sublime left-wing strike (45+3) to enforce the rank of the Lions of Teranga.

Senegal goes through cleanly
In the second period, Senegal again got scared, but without giving up this time. Ibrahim Mbaye later steals the show. It is the 17 years who will kill all suspense in the 77th minute, three minutes after his entry into play, with a third goal in full power, on a deep pass by Sadio Mané. 3-1 final score and Senegal sails through to the last 8 in style.