Senegal beats Sudan 3-1 in AFCON, teenage substitute scores four minutes after coming on

Teenager Ibrahim Mbaye scored four minutes after coming off the bench to seal a 3-1 victory for Senegal over Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 on Saturday at Grand Stadium in Tangiers. The 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward, who previously represented France at youth level before switching allegiance to Senegal, latched onto a long pass and beat Sudan goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid at his near post in the 77th minute to put the result beyond doubt.

Senegal, 99 places higher in FIFA rankings, were rattled early by a sixth-minute strike from Sudan's Aamir Abdallah—a semi-professional playing for an Australian second-tier club. But Senegal recovered through a Pape Gueye brace, with the Villarreal midfielder equalising shortly after Sudan's opener and adding a second in first-half stoppage time. Sadio Mane provided the assist for the first goal. Senegal made six changes from their final group match, including the absence of suspended captain Kalidou Koulibaly.

The match featured several dramatic moments: Sudan's Abdazaid made a brave 29-minute save to deny Nicolas Jackson, while Senegal had a penalty decision reversed after VAR review showed an offside in the build-up. Ismaila Sarr also had a goal ruled out for offside. Senegal dominated possession while Sudan, representing a country ravaged by civil war since April 2023, offered little going forward despite qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams without scoring in open play during the group stage.

Senegal will face either Mali or Tunisia in the quarter-finals later on Saturday. This was the first AFCON meeting between Senegal and Sudan, though they met in 2026 World Cup qualifying with Senegal winning at home and drawing away. Will Senegal's new teenage sensation help them claim a second consecutive AFCON title, or will the absence of Koulibaly prove costly against stronger opposition?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/01/03/senegal-beat-sudan-to-reach-2025-afcon-quarter-finals/