Senegal vs Sudan AFCON 2025: Gueye's Double and Teen Prodigy Mbaye Seal Quarterfinal Spot

Defending champions Senegal avoided a massive upset to secure their place in the quarterfinals of AFCON 2025. On January 3, 2026, the Lions of Teranga overcame an early scare to defeat Sudan3-1 in Tangier, Morocco, proving why they remain the team to beat in African football.

Senegal vs Sudan AFCON 2025 Round of 16 Match Review

The match began with a shock as Sudan, ranked 99 places below Senegal, took the lead in the 6th minute. Aamir Abdallah, a semi-professional striker playing in Australia, delivered a stunning lob over former Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy. According to Reuters, it was a dream start for a Sudanese nation currently ravaged by civil war.

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However, Senegal's quality eventually shone through. Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye spearheaded the comeback, equalizing in the 29th minute after an assist from Sadio Mane. Gueye then added a second just before half-time, firing home a brilliant left-footed strike to put Senegal in the driver's seat. Bayern Munich loanee Nicolas Jackson also kept the Sudanese defense busy throughout the opening period.

Ibrahim Mbaye: The 17-Year-Old PSG Star

The highlight of the second half was the emergence of Ibrahim Mbaye. The 17-year-old PSG forward made his impact just 4 minutes after coming off the bench, scoring Senegal's third in the 77th minute. Having recently switched international allegiance from France to Senegal, Mbaye's performance solidified his status as one of the tournament's most exciting young talents.