The Digest:
Senegal has secured its place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over a resilient Sudanese side, a predictable result given the massive gulf in rankings and resources between the two nations.
Key Points:
- Senegal progressed after coming from behind, with a brace from Pape Gueye and a late goal from 17-year-old substitute Ibrahim Mbaye sealing the win.
- Sudan, ranked 99 places below Senegal and representing a nation in civil war, shocked the favorites with a superb early goal from semi-professional striker Aamir Abdallah.
- Teenage sensation Ibrahim Mbaye, a Paris Saint-Germain forward who recently switched allegiance from France, scored just four minutes after coming off the bench to secure the result.
- Senegal made six changes to their starting lineup, playing without suspended captain Kalidou Koulibaly.
- The match saw multiple VAR interventions, disallowing a Senegal penalty and an Ismaila Sarr goal for offside, before Gueye's second strike gave them a halftime lead.
- Senegal will now face the winner of the Mali vs. Tunisia match in the quarter-finals.
Sources: Channels Television, AFP
