Senegal overturned an early deficit to beat Sudan 3-1 in Tangier and secure their place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals, with Pape Gueye’s brace and teenager Ibrahim Mbaye’s strike proving decisive.
The 2021 champions were rattled when Aamir Abdallah gave Sudan a shock sixth-minute lead, the Melbourne-based semi-professional striker curling a superb effort over former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. It was a stunning goal from a side that had failed to score in all three group matches.
Senegal, missing suspended captain Kalidou Koulibaly, gradually imposed their superiority. Former African Player of the Year Sadio Mane orchestrated the equaliser on 29 minutes, setting up Villarreal midfielder Gueye, who finished low inside the right post.
The Mauritanian referee pointed to the penalty spot after Ismaila Sarr was fouled by goalkeeper Monged El Neel, but VAR intervened, revealing a Senegalese player offside in the build-up. Crystal Palace winger Sarr then had another effort ruled out for offside as Sudan held firm.
Gueye struck again three minutes into first-half stoppage time, executing a brilliant left-footed finish past El Neel to give Senegal a half-time advantage.
Paris Saint-Germain’s 17-year-old forward Ibrahim Mbaye, who switched allegiance from France to Senegal, came off the bench to seal the victory in the 77th minute, putting the result beyond doubt.
Sudan, representing a country devastated by civil war since April 2023, can take pride in their performance despite the defeat. Ghana-born coach Kwesi Appiah said afterwards that his players had “proudly represented” their nation.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw acknowledged his opponents’ discipline, stating his side needed to “dig deep” to overturn the deficit. The Teranga Lions will now face Mali or Tunisia in the quarter-finals on Friday.
