Senegal stormed the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a deserved 3-1 win over Sudan in a round of 16 match on Saturday at Grand Stade de Tanger.
The Lions of Teranga had to come from down after Sudan took a sixth minute lead when Abdallah Yunis found the top corner with a left footed finish.
Papa Gueye scored a brace before halftime, and Ibrahim Mbaye put the icing on the cake in the second stanza to seal a remarkable victory.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, speaking after the match, stated: “We played against this very disciplined Sudan team and they showed that they got to stage by merit. We needed to dig deep to come from a goal down to be able to win the match.”
“I give credit to my players for the way they focused on the game and recovered to win the match. Now we will focus on the next match by correcting some of the mistakes we noted in this game and pursue our goals with intensity.”
Sadio Mane who finished with two assists, created the equaliser whe, after stealing from Mohamed Abuaagla released Gueye, who calmly drove a low finish past the goalkeeper.
Nicholas Jackson who had earlier missed a keeper-to-beat chance, was the provider for the second and Gueye did no mistake but drive home a neat finish.
Substitute Mbaye unleashed a powerful strike from inside the area after yet another incisive Mané assist to put the result beyond doubt.
Senegal who topped Group D with seven points to reach this stage, progress to the Quarterfinals where they will meet Mali who eliminated Tunisia in the other Round of 16 clash.
It’s an end of a fairytale run for Kwesi Appiah’s Sudan who finished third in Group E having managed to score one goal (an own goal).