Senegal vs Sudan Prediction & Betting Tips (3 January)

Pape Thiaw's Senegal confirmed expectations at the start of the competition by finishing at the top of group D. The Lions of Téranga saw victory escape them once, during the 2nd day against DR Congo 1-1. They started with a bang against Botswana 3-0 and overcame Benin 0-3 at the end of the group stage. We will now have to step up the pace to forget the last two editions which ended with eliminations in the round of 16. The Senegalese selection won a title in the African Cup of Nations in 2019, and prepared brilliantly for this 2025 edition, qualifying for the 2026 World Cup thanks to 4 successes bagged at the start of the season. She finished this campaign undefeated, with a record of 7 wins and 3 draws.

 Engaged for the last time in the competition in 2021, Sudan had not reached the round of 16 since the 2012 edition. This feat takes on a little more depth in view of its unusual group stage since no Sudanese player scored over the 3 days played. Crushed at the start of the competition by Algeria 3-0 and defeated on Wednesday by Burkina Faso 0-2, the 117th selection in the FIFA rankings relied on an own goal from Equatorial Guinea, on the 2nd day, to obtain their only 0-1 victory and thus finish among the best 3rd in the group. A modest team on the continent, Sudan had not yet won in 2025 and will not play in the World Cup from June. 

Senegal begins the knockout phase without its captain Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal, 101 caps). The rough central defender is suspended after being sent off at the end of the group stage. Moussa Niakhaté (Lyon, 24 sel) should therefore return to the starting lineup after being rested against Benin. Pape Thiaw can also count on Idrissa Gueye (Everton, 124 sel) in midfield, a notch below Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace, 77 sel, 18 goals) not yet a scorer in this CAN 2025. The star of the team, Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr, 52 goals in 120 caps), scored once during the group stage. Another high-quality offensive asset, Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich, 7 goals, 28 caps) scored 2 goals like supersub Chérif Ndiaye (Samsunspor, 12 sel, 4 goals). The coach did not call up Abdou Diallo (Al-Duhail) and Nampalys Mendy (Watford) to compete in the competition.

Ilay Camara (Anderlecht) and Assane Diao (Como) had to give up due to injury. No renowned player makes up the Sudan locker room. Muhamed Abdelrahman (Al-Hilal, Sudanese D1) is the team's top scorer (23 in 63 seasons) but plays supporting roles in the competition. Injured, Abo Eisa (Chonduri FC, 1 goal, 14 selections) could remain absent from the last match. He was joined on the flank by Salah Adel Alhassan, a midfielder with 45 appearances for the national team. The Sudanese defense conceded 5 goals during the group stage. 

• Summary: Senegal is going head to head with Sudan starting on 3 Jan 2026 at 16:00 UTC at Stade Ibn-Batouta stadium, Tanger city, Morocco. The match is a part of the Africa Cup of Nations, Knockout stage .
• Senegal Feedinco Rating: 7.05
• Sudan Feedinco Rating: 6.53