Africa Cup Of Nations | Saturday January 3 | R16
- Senegal 3-1 Sudan
Sadio Mané reminded everyone that leadership is about action, not armbands, as Senegal booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals with a 3–1 win over Sudan in Tangier.
With captain Kalidou Koulibaly suspended, Mané carried the weight of champions on his shoulders.
The two-time African Footballer of the Year set the tone with his work rate and composure, pressing, creating and driving Senegal forward whenever they needed it.
Sudan struck first and stunned the holders. Just six minutes in, Aamir Abdallah fired the Falcons of Jediane ahead, briefly feeding AFCON’s appetite for the unexpected.
It would be Sudan’s only goal of the tournament, a fleeting reward in a campaign marked more by courage than results.
Despite the early setback, Sudan played without fear. Forced to play all their matches away from home amid war and hardship back home, they pressed boldly and refused to simply defend their lead.
Senegal, though, grew into the game. Mané pulled the strings as Ismaïla Sarr and Nicolas Jackson probed, while goalkeeper Monged El Neel kept Sudan alive with a series of fine saves.
The pressure finally told in the 29th minute when Mané broke free and squared for Pape Gueye to finish.
Before halftime, Senegal turned control into command. Jackson teed up Gueye again, and the midfielder made it 2–1, giving the Lions of Teranga a lead that reflected their dominance.
Any hopes of a Sudan response faded after the break when Édouard Mendy produced a sharp save to deny an equaliser. From then on, Senegal dictated the pace, calm and assured.
The night ended as it had unfolded with Mané at the centre. In the 77th minute, he surged forward and selflessly set up Ibrahim Mbaye to seal the win, choosing impact over headlines.
It was a performance that spoke volumes about Senegal’s strength but of Mané’s quiet authority in guiding the champions safely into the last eight.
