Sudan looks to pull off the ultimate shock win against Senegal in an AFCON Last 16 clash

The first match-up in the AFCON 2025 Round of 16 is a genuine David versus Goliath affair, as Senegal takes on Sudan on Saturday live on beIN SPORTS.

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The Lions of Teranga have the deepest squad in the competition with players hailing from Europe’s biggest leagues. Senegal had four different scorers in the group stages producing seven goals.

Sudan reached the knockout stages of AFCON for first time since 2012 scoring just once in the three group games, and that was an own goal in the win against Equatorial Guinea. Indeed, Sudan recorded the fewest shots on target (5) in the group phase among the 16 teams left in the tournament.

Nevertheless, Senegal could be without Illiman Ndiaye for Saturday’s game after the forward left the final group stage match against Benin injured. Kalidou Koulibaly will be suspended after picking up a red card in the same match.

“We must approach it with a great deal of seriousness and respect for Sudan,” said Pape Thiaw, Senegal’s coach. “They are well-organized and know how to make things difficult for their opponents.”

Despite the disparity between the two teams, Sudan’s coach Kwesi Appiah is confident that his side can deliver an AFCON shock in a one-off game but is also thinking of the fans back home in a nation torn by civil war. “The only way you make them happy is to fight and raise the flag of Sudan it the games we play,” said Appiah talking ahead of Saturday’s clash.

Saturday January 3rd

10:50AM ET / 7:50AM PT

Senegal vs. Sudan – live on beIN SPORTS

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