Senegal’s Lions of Teranga are through to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a comeback 3-1 win over Sudan at the Tangier Grand Stadium on Saturday.

The Senegalese are one of the favourites to win the tournament but got stunned barely six minutes into Saturday’s match when Aamir Abdallah put Sudan ahead, firing home an assist from Walieldin Khdir into the top left corner of the post.

However, Senegal immediately regained momentum and mounted pressure inside the Sudanese half to draw level, which paid off in the 29th minute when Pape Gueye equalised for the Teranga Lions from a left-footed effort from outside the 18-yard box.

Gueye grabbed his brace of the night inside the added minutes of the first half after the Villarreal midfielder curled a pass from Nicolas Jackson into the top post to put Senegal ahead for the first time in the encounter.

Early on in the second half, both Sudan and Senegal failed to convert several chances to score again in the game until the 77th minute, as Ibrahim Mbaye powered home a pass from Sadie Mane only four minutes after coming on to seal the victory for Senegal.

Meanwhile, Senegal will face the winner of the clash between Mali and Tunisia later on Saturday for a place in the semifinal.