The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco moves into the knockout phase with favourites Senegal taking on Sudan in the first Round of 16 fixture.
SportPremi provides a detailed match preview and the latest team news ahead of the January 3 showdown at the Grande Stade de Tanger in Tangier.
Match Preview
Senegal finished as winners of Group D ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin Republic and Botswana during the group phase.
The Lions of Teranga underlined their title credentials as they breezed through with an unbeaten record, securing seven points from their three matches.
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They started off with a 3-0 win over Botswana, which was followed by a 1-1 draw against DR Congo. Senegal wrapped up top spot by defeating Benin Republic 3-0 in their final group outing, setting up a clash with one of the third-placed teams that qualified for the knockout rounds – Sudan in this case.
Sudan, meanwhile, had little odds of progressing beyond the group stage but will be very content with their performances so far in Morocco.
They suffered a 3-0 defeat to Algeria in their opening Group E match, but recorded a first win by narrowly edging Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in their second match.
Despite another defeat to Burkina Faso in their group finale, the Falcons of Jediane still qualified as the third best-placed team that finished third in the group stages.
Head to Head Record
05.09.2026 – Senegal 2-0 Sudan (2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier)
22.03.2025 – Sudan 0-0 Senegal (2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier)
16.10.2018 – Sudan 0-1 Senegal (2019 AFCON Qualifier )
13.10.2018 – Senegal 3-0 Sudan (2019 AFCON Qualifier)
Senegal have dominated this matchup and are unbeaten in the last four meetings against Sudan. The Lions of Teranga have not conceded in this period and defeated the Sudanese on their way to clinching the ticket for the FIFA World Cup later this year.
Form:
Senegal have lived up to their favourites tag in Morocco so far with an impressive record during the group stages.
Despite not winning all three matches, they conceded just once and scored seven times, sending a strong warning to their rivals.
Sudan will have a tough test on their hands against Senegal, as they conceded five times during the group stages and scored only once.
They also suffered two defeats in their three matches, but claimed an impressive 1-9 win over Equatorial Guinea.
Team News: Senegal
Senegal will be without the services of captain Kalidou Koulibaly for the clash against Sudan after his red card in the 3-0 win over Benin Republic on match-day three, but head coach Pape Thiaw still has a strong team to choose from regardless.
Predicted Lineups: Mendy (GK), Jakobs, Niakhate, Seck, Diatta, P. Gueye, I. Gueye, Ndiaye, Mane, Sarr, Jackson.
Team News: Sudan
Sudan also have a fairly fit squad to choose from following the conclusion of the group stage, although Adil Salaheldin and Abuaagla Mohamed could miss out.
Predicted Lineups: Elneel (GK), Awad, Saeed Ahmed, Karshom, Khamis, Taifour, Alhassan Omer, Nooh, Eisa, Abdelrahman.
SportPremi Prediction
Senegal 3-0 Sudan
Senegal have enough quality to overpower Sudan and should cruise to victory, securing their fourth quarter-final appearance in their last five AFCON tournaments.
