AFCON 2025: Mbaye shines as Senegal beat Sudan 3–1 to reach Q’Finals

Teenage forward Ibrahim Mbaye made an instant impact off the bench, scoring just four minutes after his introduction to seal a 3–1 win for Senegal against Sudan in Tangiers on Saturday, in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16.

The 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain attacker, who previously represented France at youth level before pledging his international future to Senegal, where his father hails from, showed great composure to put the result beyond doubt late in the game.

Senegal were stunned early on when Aamir Abdallah gave Sudan a surprise lead, unsettling the former champions. However, the Teranga Lions responded strongly and turned the game around before the break, with Pape Gueye netting twice to hand his side a 2–1 advantage at half-time.

Mbaye’s goal in the 77th minute ended any hopes of a Sudan comeback and confirmed Senegal’s place in the quarter-finals.

They will now face either Mali or Tunisia, who clash later on Saturday in Casablanca.

It was a predictable result as Senegal are 99 places higher in the world rankings than Sudan, who were representing a country ravaged by civil war since April 2023.

Senegal made six changes to the team that started a 3-0 win over Botswana in their final group match. A notable absentee was suspended captain and centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly.

Ghana-born Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah retained only one of the team that began a 2-0 loss to Burkina Faso — forward Abdallah.

It was the first meeting of the countries at an AFCON tournament. They were in the same 2026 World Cup qualifying group, though, with Senegal winning at home and drawing away.

Sudan rocked Senegal by taking a sixth-minute lead through Abdallah, a semi-professional who plays for an Australian second-tier club in Melbourne.

It was a superb goal as the Sudan striker took possession just inside the area and curled the ball over former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and into the net.

– Ismaila Sarr unlucky –

Sudan had qualified for the knockout stage as one of the best four third-placed nations despite failing to score in three group matches. An own goal brought victory over Equatorial Guinea.

A brave save from Monged Abuzaid on 29 minutes foiled Nicolas Jackson, who is on loan to Bayern Munich from Chelsea, but Senegal equalised almost immediately.

Former African player of the year Sadio Mane set up Pape Gueye, who equalised with a low shot into the corner of the net.

Senegal were attacking continuously while Sudan had little to offer going forward in a match watched by Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe from South Africa.

The Mauritanian referee pointed to the penalty spot after Ismaila Sarr was fouled by Abuzaid. However, the decision was reversed after a long VAR review revealed that a Senegalese was offside in the build-up.

Ismaila Sarr from Crystal Palace then scored, only to be ruled offside in another let-off for the Sudanese.

Abuzaid was constantly in action and did well to push away a Pape Gueye shot with an outstretched right hand as half-time approached.

There was still time for Pape Gueye to score again, however, and give Senegal a half-time advantage in the Mediterranean city.

The goal was brilliantly executed by the midfielder from La Liga club Villarreal three minutes into added time. He used his left foot to side-foot a cross into the net past Abuzaid.

Senegal introduced Mbaye midway through the second half as they sought the insurance of a third goal. He made an immediate impact, latching on to a long pass and beating Abuzaid at his near post.

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