Who: Senegal vs Sudan
What: CAF Africa Cup of Nations
The place: Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier
When: Saturday, January 3, 5pm (16:00 GMT)
Learn how to comply with: We’ll have all of the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 13:00 GMT upfront of our textual content commentary stream.
The AFCON round of 16 begins with a conflict between the heavyweights and minnows, as title favourites Senegal face Sudan, the lowest-ranked aspect remaining within the competitors.
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Boasting appreciable attacking firepower in Nicolas Jackson and Sadio Mane, Senegal stormed their manner into the knockouts, affirming their place among the many title favourites because the AFCON 2021 champions search their second title.
The 117th-ranked Sudan, then again, wanted a serving to hand to qualify and can play within the knockout levels for the primary time in 14 years. Reaching the spherical of 16 represents a big achievement for Sudan, whose footballing progress has defied ongoing turmoil at residence.
Right here’s every part it’s essential find out about Senegal vs Sudan:
What’s occurring in Sudan?
Sudan has been ravaged by war since preventing broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Fast Help Forces (RSF) in April 2023.
The battle has killed tens of 1000’s, displaced greater than 12 million folks and triggered famine in a number of components of Sudan, a scenario the United Nations has described because the “world’s worst humanitarian disaster”.
Sudan’s goalkeeper, Mohamed Abooja, needed to cope with the anguish of his brother being taken prisoner by the RSF. “After all, the workforce has been impacted. Everybody has simply tried to get via this era, nevertheless it has been tough with the stress throughout Sudan,” Abooja advised AFP information company.
“In the long run, our outcomes on the pitch are what make the folks completely happy and increase their morale.”
How did Sudan attain the 2025 AFCON spherical of 16?
Sudan’s workforce progressed to the final 16 as one of many 4 finest third-placed groups, gathering three factors in Group E courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea: a end result that marked solely their second-ever win on the event since lifting the trophy in 1970.
That historic victory was aided by a second of excellent fortune, with an personal purpose from Equatorial Guinea’s Saul Coco proving decisive.
How did Senegal attain the spherical of 16?
Senegal, Africa’s second-highest-ranked nation at nineteenth on the planet, completed high of Group D with seven factors after two wins and a draw, edging DR Congo on purpose distinction.
They completed the group stage with the joint-second highest purpose tally (seven, alongside Algeria), only one behind Nigeria.
Who will the winner face within the subsequent spherical?
The winner of the Senegal and Sudan match will keep in Tangier to face the winner of the Mali and Tunisia match within the quarterfinals on January 9.
Who’re Senegal’s finest gamers?
Striker Nicolas Jackson made a formidable begin with two targets within the opening match in opposition to Botswana, whereas Cherif Ndiaye additionally has two targets to his identify – each scored after approaching as an alternative.
The skilled winger Sadio Mane is one other star participant of Senegal, alongside midfielders Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Mane has been concerned in 17 AFCON targets (10 targets, 7 assists), essentially the most by any participant since 2010.
Who’re Sudan’s finest gamers?
Midfielders Walieldin Khidir and Ammar Toaifour, together with defender Sheddy Barglan, have been Sudan’s standout performers on the event.
Senegal and Sudan type guides
All matches, most up-to-date end result final:
Senegal: W-D-W-W-L
Sudan: L-W-L-L-L
- Senegal are on a 14-match unbeaten run at AFCON (W9 D5).
- Senegal have saved 17 clear sheets at AFCON since 2017, greater than another workforce.
- Sudan have conceded six targets, essentially the most of any workforce to achieve the spherical of 16.
- Sudan received simply considered one of their final seven AFCON matches (D1 L5).
Head-to-head
Senegal and Sudan have met in seven earlier encounters, throughout aggressive and pleasant video games.
Senegal boast an unbeaten report, having received 4 occasions and drawn thrice.
When did Senegal and Sudan final meet?
The groups just lately met in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in September when Senegal received 2-0.
Senegal vs Sudan – stat assault
Saturday’s recreation will probably be their first assembly at AFCON and fifth total in a span of a 12 months.
Senegal have by no means misplaced to an East African opponent at AFCON, having performed 5 matches, profitable 4 and drawing one.
Have Senegal ever received an AFCON title?
That is Senegal’s 18th look on the AFCON finals, with their finest end result being the 2021 title they received in Cameroon. They’ve additionally completed runners-up twice: in 2002 and 2019.
Have Sudan ever received an AFCON title?
Sudan are making their tenth look this 12 months. Since their debut in 1957, they’ve completed runners-up twice – in 1959 and 1963 – and received their solely trophy in 1970.
Senegal workforce information
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw will probably be with out his captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, who’s suspended for this match, having picked up a pink card of their ultimate group recreation.
Senegal’s predicted lineup
Edouard Mendy; Krepin Diatta, Abdoulaye Seck, Moussa Niakhate, Ismail Jakobs; Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye; Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Sadio Mane; Nicolas Jackson
Sudan workforce information
Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah will probably be with out midfielders Salah Adil, Abo Eisa and Abuaagla Abdalla, who’re injured.
Sudan’s predicted lineup
Monged El Neel; Sheddy Barglan, Mohamed Ereng, Mustafa Karshom, Bakhit Khamis; Walieldin Khidir, Abdelrazig Omer, Ammar Taifour; Aamir Abdallah, Mohammed Abdel-Rahman, Mohamed Eisa
