Senegal vs Sudan (3:1): Africa Cup of Nations 03/01/2026

January 03, 2026

Status: Finished

3-1

Africa Cup of Nations

Senegal

Sudan

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 knockout stage kicks off with a highly anticipated Round of 16 clash between pre-tournament favourites Senegal and surprise qualifiers Sudan. The Teranga Lions, champions in 2021, aim to build on their strong group performance and advance deeper into the competition.

This matchup takes place on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier, Morocco, with kick-off scheduled for 16:00 GMT+0. The venue, with a capacity of 68,000, is expected to host a vibrant atmosphere as Senegal look to dominate. No official referee appointment has been confirmed yet, but VAR will be in operation throughout the knockout phase of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.

BETTING TIPS AND MATCH INSIGHTS

As we dive deeper into this Round of 16 encounter, the focus shifts to recent performances and historical trends that could shape the outcome. Senegal vs Sudan prediction today points towards a one-sided affair, given the vast difference in quality and current momentum between the two sides. Expect Senegal to control possession and create numerous chances against a resilient but limited Sudanese defence.

Senegal Results

Senegal topped Group D with an impressive display, collecting seven points from three matches while scoring seven goals and conceding just one. Their blend of defensive solidity and clinical finishing has marked them as serious contenders once again. The Teranga Lions showed composure in tight moments and ruthlessness against weaker opposition.

Senegal have won eight of their last ten matches across all competitions, with the only blemishes being a draw against DR Congo and a loss to Brazil. Their two 3-0 victories in the group stage underline their ability to dismantle inferior sides. The Teranga Lions averaged over two goals per game in recent outings, demonstrating sharp attacking transitions. Defensively, they kept clean sheets in three of these five fixtures. This run of form positions them perfectly for a deep tournament push.

Sudan Results

Sudan scraped into the knockouts as one of the best third-placed teams, thanks to a solitary win over Equatorial Guinea. Their campaign has been defined by resilience amid challenging circumstances, but offensive struggles remain evident. The Falcons of Jediane face a monumental task against elite opposition.

Sudan have managed just two wins in their last 15 matches, suffering ten defeats in that stretch. Their group stage yielded only one goal scored while conceding five. The Falcons struggled to create chances against stronger teams, often relying on counter-attacks. Four consecutive losses heading into this tie highlight their fragility. Defensive lapses have been costly, with clean sheets rare in recent games.

Who will win Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations clash between Senegal and Sudan?

Senegal > Draw > Sudan >

Senegal

80%

Draw

15%

Sudan

4%

Senegal vs Sudan Head-to-Head

Senegal hold complete dominance in this fixture, remaining unbeaten across all encounters with Sudan. The Teranga Lions have outscored their opponents significantly, conceding just one goal in these meetings. Recent clashes in 2025 further emphasise Senegal’s superiority.

Senegal have won four and drawn three of their seven all-time meetings with Sudan, scoring eight goals to Sudan’s one. Four of these encounters occurred in 2025 alone, producing two wins and two draws for the Teranga Lions. Sudan have failed to score in five of the seven H2H games. This psychological edge, combined with clean sheets in most recent fixtures, heavily favours Senegal.

Senegal vs Sudan Predicted Starting Lineups

Lineups are always subject to last-minute changes, but based on recent performances, team news, and tactical preferences in the group stage, here are the most likely starting XIs for this Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 clash. Senegal will deploy their familiar attacking setup, while Sudan are expected to prioritise defensive solidity.

Senegal possible starting lineup:

Mendy (GK); Jakobs (DF), Niakhate (DF), Seck (DF), Diatta (DF); P. Gueye (MF), I. Gueye (MF), Ndiaye (MF); Mané (FW), Sarr (FW), Jackson (FW)

Sudan possible starting lineup:

Elneel (GK); Awad (DF), Saeed Ahmed (DF), Karshom (DF), Khamis (DF); Nooh (MF), Taifour (MF), Khidir (MF), Eisa (MF); Abdelrahman (FW), Terry (FW)

Injured and Questionable Players

Both teams have limited injury concerns heading into the knockout stage, but Senegal face a significant blow with the suspension of their captain. Below is an overview of the key absences and doubts that could influence the match.

Key Match Factors to Watch

Several elements could decisively influence the outcome of this Round of 16 tie. Senegal’s depth and experience contrast sharply with Sudan’s underdog spirit forged through adversity. Monitoring these aspects will provide crucial context.

Here are the main points to consider:

• Senegal will miss captain Kalidou Koulibaly due to suspension after his red card against Benin;
• Sudan’s Salaheldin Alhassan is a doubt following a knock picked up against Burkina Faso;
• Senegal boast a potent attack led by Sadio Mané and Nicolas Jackson, who have been clinical throughout the tournament;
• Sudan have scored just once in the group stage, struggling to break down organised defences;
• The Teranga Lions are on an eight-win streak from ten matches, displaying excellent form;
• Sudan have won only two of their last 15 games, entering with four consecutive defeats;
• Cherif Ndiaye has been Senegal’s standout performer, scoring multiple late goals at this AFCON;
• Sudan’s progression marks only their second knockout appearance since 1970, highlighting limited big-stage experience;
• Home advantage on neutral soil slightly favours Senegal due to larger supporter base in Morocco.

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Free Tips on Senegal vs Sudan

Before placing any bets on this Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 clash, it’s essential to dig into the underlying statistics from previous matches and head-to-head encounters. These free tips are derived purely from historical data, team trends, and performance metrics to help identify potential value. By focusing on patterns like goal timing, defensive solidity, and productivity in similar fixtures, bettors can gain a clearer edge in this mismatched tie.

• Head-to-Head Dominance: Senegal have never lost to Sudan in seven meetings (W4, D3), conceding just one goal across all encounters – look for low-scoring outcomes favouring the Teranga Lions.
• Recent Schedule and Fatigue: Both teams played their final group matches on December 30-31, providing similar recovery time, but Sudan’s congested poor run (only two wins in 15) suggests lingering fatigue against a fresher, deeper Senegal squad.
• Type of Pitch Surface: The Stade Ibn Batouta features high-quality hybrid grass, which promotes fast, technical play – this suits Senegal’s possession-based style and quick transitions far better than Sudan’s direct approach.
• Weather Conditions on Match Day: Typical January weather in Tangier brings mild temperatures around 16-18°C with possible light showers; a potentially slick surface could reduce errors but favour the more composed side in Senegal.
• Betting Odds Movement: Sharp money has already pushed Senegal’s win odds shorter, reflecting market confidence in their superiority – consider combining with under goals for value, given the low BTTS trend in both teams’ recent games.

Senegal vs Sudan Match Prediction 2026

Senegal enter this fixture as clear favourites, backed by superior squad quality, recent form, and an impeccable head-to-head record. Despite the absence of Koulibaly, their defensive depth should contain Sudan’s limited attack, while Mané, Jackson, and Ndiaye are likely to exploit gaps. Sudan have shown heart but lack the firepower to trouble the 2021 champions seriously. Senegal vs Sudan odds reflect this disparity, with the Teranga Lions heavily backed for a comfortable victory.

We predict a straightforward win for Senegal, potentially by a two-goal margin or more, advancing them to the quarter-finals. Their ability to dominate possession and create high-quality chances should overwhelm Sudan’s defence. Expect a professional performance from the favourites.

Our Prediction: Senegal 2-0 Sudan

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