Pape Gueye scored twice as reigning champions Senegal came from behind to defeat Sudan 3–1 and secure a place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Sudan made a dream start when Aamir Abdallah put them ahead in the sixth minute. The forward completed a rapid counterattack with a superb curling strike from his favoured left foot, catching Senegal off guard.
The Teranga Lions responded with composure and authority, drawing level just before the half-hour mark. Sadio Mané was instrumental, dispossessing Mohamed Abuaagla in midfield before releasing Gueye, who calmly drilled a low shot past the goalkeeper to restore parity.
Senegal went on to seize control of the contest late in the first half, with Gueye striking again to give his side the lead for the first time in the match and cap a dominant spell of play.
The victory was sealed 13 minutes from time when substitute Ibrahim Mbaye powered home a close-range effort following another incisive assist from Mané, putting the result beyond doubt.
In the day’s second Round of 16 encounter, Mali booked their quarter-final spot after edging Tunisia 3–2 on penalties despite playing most of the match with 10 men.
Mali were reduced to a man short in the 28th minute when Woyo Coulibaly received a straight red card for a late challenge on Hannibal Mejbri. Tunisia eventually broke the deadlock in the 88th minute, with Firas Chaouat heading in a cross from Elias Saad.
However, Mali mounted a dramatic response deep into added time after Yassine Meriah conceded a penalty for handball, allowing Lassine Sinayoko to convert in the 90+6th minute and force extra time. With no goals in the additional period, the match went to penalties, where Tunisia missed three spot-kicks and Mali squandered two before El Bilal Touré scored the decisive effort.
Mali will now face Senegal in an all-West African quarter-final clash in Tangier on January 9.
