Group B leaders Sudan share spoils with Senegal

03/22/2025 05:19 PM

Sudan continue to lead the way in Group B after they held Senegal to a 0-0 draw at the Benina Martyrs Stadium in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Saturday, March 22.

The Falcons of Jediane went one point clear of DR Congo, who edged South Sudan 1-0 the previous day, leaving Pape Thiaw’s side a further point back in third place.

Both teams were still unbeaten after four matches, with Sudan having won three on the spin while Senegal looked to build on their 1-0 victory over Mauritania last time out after drawing their previous two games.

The visitors threatened as early as the fifth minute when Moussa Niakhate made contact with Boulaye Dia’s cross from the left, but could only steer the ball to the left of the goal.

Niakhate was guilty of failing to hit the target once more on the quarter-hour mark as he steered a header wide of left post from Lamine Camara’s free-kick.

Kwesi Appiah’s side got their first sniff at goal five minutes later through Abobaker Eisa, who beat his marker before firing wide of the right post and Salaheldin Alhassan at least gave Edouard Mendy some work to do on 25 minutes with a free-kick that he hit straight at the goalkeeper.

The West Africans finished the first half strongly as Ismaila Sarr tested Mohamed Mustafa from the edge of the area on 40 minutes after latching onto a fine pass from Sadio Mane, who then flashed a shot just past the left post in the 45th minute before Pape Gueye sent an effort just to the right of the goal.

The Falcons of Jediane made a bright start to the second half, with Abdel Raouf denied by Mendy twice in quick succession on 50 minutes, having seen his initial shot saved and unable to beat the keeper on the rebound.

Mustafa was called into action soon afterwards, although he was perfectly positioned to deal with Camara’s powerful strike from the edge of the box in the 55th minute.

The Lions of Teranga ramped up the pressure in the closing stages and Mane forced Mustafa to palm his strike away from danger on 80 minutes before Kalidou Koulibaly saw his header expertly saved moments later.

But there would be no late goals in Benghazi as the two teams had to settle for a share of the spoils which maintained their respective unbeaten records in the group.

Sudan (0) 0
Senegal (0) 0