JAKARTA – Senegal and Mali secured two tickets to the 2025 African Cup of Nations quarter finals after eliminating Sudan and Tunisia in the 16-team round of 16 matches that took place on Saturday (3/1) to Sunday WIB.
Senegal looked assured with a 3-1 win over Sudan, while Mali qualified dramatically after eliminating Tunisia in a penalty shootout.
Senegal ensured themselves as the first team to qualify for the 2025 African Cup of Nations quarter-finals after defeating Sudan 3-1 at the Grande Stade Tangier.
The victory was achieved through an impressive comeback after being behind first.
Sudan surprised Senegal with a quick goal in the sixth minute through Aamir Abdallah. The player cut into Senegal’s defense before firing a curved left foot shot that Edouard Mendy couldn’t reach.
Falling behind first made Senegal immediately take control of the game. The dominance of ball possession resulted in an equalizer in the 24th minute when Sadio Mane snatched the ball in the midfield and sent a pass to Pape Gueye, who finished the opportunity into the corner of the goal.
Pape Gueye again recorded his name on the scoreboard before halftime. Starting from Ismaila Sarr’s movement, the ball was passed to Nicolas Jackson who then returned it to the edge of the penalty box to be completed by Gueye with a measured kick. Senegal turned 2-1 ahead at halftime.
In the second half, Senegal sealed the victory through a 17-year-old substitute, Ibrahima Mbaye, in the 77th minute.
Mbaye became one of the youngest goal scorers in the history of the African Cup of Nations, with Mane again playing the role of an assist provider.
In another match, Mali advanced to the quarter-finals after defeating Tunisia 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw until extra time in Casablanca.
Mali had to play with 10 men from the 26th minute after losing Woyo Coulibaly who was given a red card after stepping on Hannibal Mejbri’s ankle. Since then, Mali has defended more and waited for opportunities.
Tunisia only broke the deadlock in the 88th minute through Firas Chaouat who headed in Elias Saad’s cross. However, the victory in sight was shaken after Mali received a penalty in injury time due to Yassine Meriah’s handball.
Lassine Sinayoko successfully executed a penalty in the 97th minute to force the match to continue into extra time.
Tunisia managed to score again in extra time, but was ruled offside. The match was decided by a penalty shootout, where Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra appeared as a hero with two crucial saves to secure a 3-2 victory.
Interestingly, Mali advanced to the quarter-finals without a single win in normal time throughout the tournament. They previously only drew in the group stage and returned to a draw against Tunisia.
This result brings Senegal and Mali together in the quarter-finals. The duel between the two West African representatives will be held in Tangier on Friday (9/1), after Senegal first eliminated Sudan.
Senegal, the 2021 African Cup of Nations champion and Africa’s second-ranked team, will face a tough and fighting Mali despite often being under pressure.
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