AFCON – Round of 16: Senegal wobbles, gets back on its feet, and finally tames Sudan (3-1)

The scenario wasn’t obvious at kick-off. Surprised from the early minutes, Senegal had to show character and composure to overturn a bold Sudan and eventually prevail 3-1 in the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16.

Against all odds, it was the Sudanese who struck first. In the 6th minute, Aamir Yunis Abdallah exploited space in the Senegal defense to open the scoring and make the Lions of Teranga doubt. For a long time on the back foot, the Sudanese pressed their chances to the fullest, compact but dangerous on the counter.

Stung, Senegal responded gradually. Possession became clearly Senegalese (67%), the ball moved better, and the pressure intensified in the opponent’s half. After several poorly exploited chances, the domination finally paid off in the 29th minute. Well placed just outside the area, Pape Gueye equalized and rekindled the match.

Right before the whistle at halftime, while the Sudan seemed to have contained the assault, Senegal struck again. In the added time of the first period (45+3’), Pape Gueye notched a brace and sent his team into the dressing room with a decisive psychological edge.

In the second half, the Sudan tried to resist but increasingly succumbed to the pace set by the Senegalese. The chances kept coming, corners mounted (7 in total), and the Sudanese defense finally conceded a third time. In the 77th minute, Ibrahim Mbaye finished a well-constructed team move and sealed the fate of the match.

Less offensively prominent (8 shots, including 3 on target), Sudan never really reversed the trend after the break, despite notable commitment and generally solid discipline. Both teams finished the match with two yellow cards each, with no red cards.

Led but never panicked, Senegal managed to impose its technical and collective superiority to reach the quarterfinals. A victory built with patience, authority and realism, which confirms Senegal’s ambitions in this Africa Cup of Nations.