Pape Gueye scored twice as Senegal, seen as favourites, came from behind to beat Sudan 3-1 on Saturday, securing a spot in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, 10-man Mali edged Tunisia in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
Senegal, champions in 2022, are considered the biggest threat to hosts Morocco’s ambitions of winning their first AFCON title in 50 years. It would have been a major upset if the Lions of Teranga had lost in Tangiers to a Sudan side ranked nearly 100 places below them in the FIFA rankings.
Sudan reached the knockout stage for the second time since winning the trophy in 1970, despite enduring civil war for nearly the past three years. An upset seemed possible when Aamir Abdallah, who plays for an Australian
second-tier club in Melbourne, scored a remarkable early goal.
However, Senegal, who took four points from two matches against Sudan during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, came back to lead by half-time thanks to two goals from Villarreal’s Pape Gueye. Former African player of the year Sadio Mane set up Gueye to equalise just before the half-hour mark, and Gueye scored again in stoppage time at the end of the first half to make it 2-1.
Senegal introduced Ibrahim Mbaye in the final quarter, and the Paris Saint-Germain teenager secured victory in the 77th minute by latching onto a long pass and beating goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid at his near post for a 3-1 scoreline.
Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, had previously seen his team come from behind to draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo during the group stage. Gueye said the victory demonstrated their fighting spirit. “We showed against Congo that we can come from behind, and we did the same tonight. We are very happy. It means a lot. It shows the good spirit in the camp. It was a very difficult match. We played against Sudan before, and they made life hard for us. But we managed to keep our focus and score when the chances came.”
Senegal will remain in Tangiers to face Mali in the quarter-finals next Friday, after the Eagles won 3-2 on penalties against Tunisia following a 1-1 draw after regulation and extra time.
Mali, who have never won the Cup of Nations, looked to be in trouble when full-back Woyo Coulibaly was sent off in the 26th minute at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca for a harsh challenge on Hannibal Mejbri. Tunisia seemed to have won the match when substitute Firas Chaouat headed them in front in the 88th minute, but Mali were rescued by Lassine Sinayoko’s 96th-minute penalty, awarded for a handball, which sent the game into extra time.
With no further goals in the rainy conditions, the match went to penalties. Mali captain Yves Bissouma, the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, missed their first kick, blazing it over the bar. However, Ali Abdi missed for Tunisia, and Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra made crucial saves against Elias Achouri and Mohamed Ali Bem Romdhane. El Bilal Toure, the Besiktas forward who had missed a penalty in the same stadium in a draw against Zambia during the group stage, then converted the kick that advanced Mali to the next round.
Mali coach Tom Saintfiet praised his team, saying, “Before the game, I said my team were already heroes, and now there is no other word after we played for so long with 10 men. Every player fought for their country and did everything to stay in this competition.”
The last-16 action continues on Sunday in Rabat when hosts Morocco face Tanzania, who are appearing in the knockout phase of an AFCON for the first time. South Africa will then play against five-time African champions Cameroon in the late kick-off in the Moroccan capital.
(With Inputs From Agencies)
