Sudan coach proud of the effort of his players throughout the AfCON Morocco 2025 edition

* I am sure the Sudanese people know that we came to this competition and proudly represented them—coach Kwesi Appiah

* We played against this very disciplined Sudan team and they showed that they got to stage by merit—Senegal coach Pape Thiaw

* As 10-man Mali edge out Tunisia on penalties having played out to a 1-1 draw in which Mali equalised in 90+6’ — cancelling out Tunisia’s 88th-minute lead

Maravi Express

An early moment of brilliance from Aamir Abdallah gave Sudan a shock lead against Senegal in the opening match of the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations AfCON Morocco 2025, but the Lions of Teranga responded with authority, when Pape Gueye netting a decisive brace before substitute Ibrahima Mbaye sealed the victory late on.

The Sudanese were disciplined in defence and attack, though losing possession easily and the former AfCON champions dug deep after Abdellah 6th minute strike when Gueye equalised in the 29th and took the lead in the 45+3’ before Mbaye sealed the triumph in the 77th.

Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah said after the match that despite being disappointed with the result of the game, he was proud of the effort of his players throughout this competition.

“We played against a very experienced Senegal team but we showed our quality,” he is quoted by CAFonline. “Despite the result tonight I am sure the Sudanese people know that we came to this competition and proudly represented them.”

His counterpart Pape Thiaw also acknowledged that Sudan gave them a tough time: “We played against this very disciplined Sudan team and they showed that they got to stage by merit. We needed to dig deep to come from a goal down to be able to win the match.”

While Gueye took centre stage with his goals, history also beckoned for Sadio Mané when the Senegal captain provided two assists — for Gueye’s second goal and Mbaye’s strike — moving him clear at the top of the AfCON all-time assists chart with nine, two more than Côte d’Ivoire legend Yaya Touré.

Sudan made a dream start, stunning the defending champions just six minutes in when Abdallah finished a swift counter-attack with a sublime curling effort from his favoured left foot.

Senegal, however, remained composed and steadily grew into the contest and their persistence paid off in the 29th minute when Gueye restored parity after Mané dispossessed Mohamed Abuaagla in midfield and quickly released Gueye, who calmly drove a low finish past the goalkeeper.

The equaliser sparked Senegal into life and moments earlier, Gueye had tested the keeper from range, while Nicolas Jackson saw a close-range effort denied following a dangerous delivery from the left.

The Lions of Teranga completed the turnaround deep into first-half stoppage time — Jackson again played a key role, cutting the ball back for Gueye, who produced a delightful curling finish from inside the box to make it 2-1.

Sudan pushed for a response after the break and came agonisingly close just two minutes into the second half. However, Edouard Mendy produced a superb reflex save to deny Sheddy Barglan from close range.

That proved to be Sudan’s final meaningful threat as Senegal controlled proceedings thereafter and wrapped up the contest 13 minutes from time — when substitute Mbaye unleashed a powerful strike from inside the area after yet another incisive Mané assist to put the result beyond doubt.

Sudan were unable to mount a late comeback as Senegal comfortably saw out the match, underlining their credentials as serious contenders for the AfCON crown once again.

In the other Round of 16 encounter later on, Mali booked their place in the quarter-finals by defeating Tunisia 3-2 on penalties following a hard-fought draw 1-1 in regulation time that took the match to extra time.

In a physically demanding battle, Tunisia were forced into an early change as defender Dylan Bronn left the pitch injured — and Mali’s task became even more difficult in the 27th minute when Wayo Coulibaly was shown a red card for a poorly-timed challenge on Hannibal Mejbri.

Despite their numerical advantage, Tunisia failed to impose themselves before the break, and the two sides went into half-time locked at 0-0.

Played in a vibrant atmosphere at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, Tunisia returned from the interval with renewed attacking intent. However, their efforts were repeatedly thwarted by a well-organised Malian defence and an inspired Djigui Diarra in goal.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 88th minute when Firat Chaouat rose highest to head home Elias Saad’s cross, leaving Diarra with no chance. Just as Tunisia looked set for victory, drama struck in stoppage time — a handball by Yassine Meriah in the penalty area gave Mali a lifeline, and Lassine Sinayoko calmly converted from the spot in the 90+6th minute to score his third goal of the tournament and force extra time.

As had been the case for much of the match, extra time produced little in the way of clear chances, and the contest was decided by a penalty shoot-out, in which Mali proved more composed from the spot, converting three penalties to Tunisia’s two, with Djigui Diarra once again playing a decisive role — for Mali to face Senegal in the quarter-finals.

Mali coach Tom Saintfiet said after the match: “I am proud of the goalkeeper and of all the players. Before the match, I told them that they are champions. If we had played with 11 players, we might have had even more advantages.

“After the red card, we remained calm and adapted to the situation, because football is also played with intelligence. We prepared very well for the match against Tunisia, and the players knew exactly what they were doing.

“We will face Senegal in the quarterfinals, Senegal will be the favourites, just as Morocco and Tunisia were in our previous matches — but we have a clear objective, which is to remain in the competition.”

Djigui Diarra, who was voted Man of the Match, said: “From the start of the match, we knew it was going to be difficult, especially after one of our players received a red card. We spoke among ourselves as players and the coach gave us valuable advice.

“The match remained tough right through to the penalty shoot-out. We worked very hard to reach this result, and when it came to penalties, all the players said it was time to qualify. Personally, I was thinking about the Malian people.”

Tunisia coach, Sami Trabelsi conceded that it was as a difficult match in which they were in control, “but unfortunately after scoring, something incomprehensible happened and we made a mistake”.

“Of course, there is great disappointment and pain after Tunisia’s elimination from the competition. A defeat remains a defeat, even if it comes via penalties. It is true that we could have qualified, as our opponents played with 10 men from the end of the first half, but it did not happen.

“The responsibility for the loss lies with the coach, that is certain. The players gave everything they had in a match we largely controlled, and we cannot blame them.”—Reporting by CAFonline; edited by Maravi Express