Former Ghana coach, Kwasi Appiah’s Sudan team continues to impress in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers, as they held tournament favorites Senegal to a hard-fought 0-0 draw in Benghazi, Libya. This result keeps Sudan unbeaten and at the top of Group B with 11 points from five matches, two points clear of Senegal and one ahead of DR Congo, who are in second place in the group.
Senegal, the Lions of Teranga, struggled to break down a disciplined and resilient Sudanese side, despite their superior experience and firepower. The 2021 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations champions had an early opportunity in the opening minute due to a mistake from Sudan’s goalkeeper Mohamed Mustafa, but he managed to recover in time.
Throughout the game, Senegal dominated possession, but Sudan looked more dangerous on the counterattack. The best chance of the first half fell to Sudan as a forward managed to skip past Edouard Mendy in the 20th minute but fired wide with the goal at his mercy. Senegal also wasted opportunities at the other end, missing a one-on-one chance and another close-range opportunity just before halftime.
In the second half, Sudan came out with renewed confidence, with Mendy being called into action early on to save a long-range effort. Sudan’s penalty appeals were waved away after an attacker went down in the box during the follow-up. Senegal had a golden opportunity in the 54th minute when Sadio Mané attempted an acrobatic overhead kick but sent it over the bar with the Sudanese keeper beaten.
Both teams had chances to score in the second half, with Walieldin Khidir missing a glorious opportunity for Sudan in the 76th minute, and Mané’s shot being cleared off the line at the other end. Despite late pressure from both sides, neither team could find a winner, and the match ended in a pulsating 0-0 draw.
With this result, Sudan continues to dream of a first-ever World Cup appearance, while Senegal now faces a challenge to reclaim the top spot in the group. The next round of fixtures on Tuesday could prove decisive in determining the outcome of Group B in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers.
