Former Ghana coach, Kwasi Appiah’s Sudan’s outstanding run within the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers continued on Saturday night as they held match favourites Senegal to a hard-fought 0-0 attract Benghazi, Libya.
The consequence retains Sudan unbeaten and prime of Group B with 11 factors from 5 matches—two away from Senegal and one forward of DR Congo, who’re second within the group.
For the Lions of Teranga, the draw provides additional strain forward of their conflict with Togo on Tuesday.
Regardless of their superior expertise and firepower, Senegal struggled to interrupt down a disciplined and resilient Sudanese facet that has grow to be the group’s shock package deal.
The 2021 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations champions practically made an ideal begin when a mistake from Sudan goalkeeper Mohamed Mustafa within the opening minute gifted a chance, just for him to recuperate in time.
The Lions dominated possession all through, however Sudan seemed the extra harmful on the counter.
The most effective likelihood of the primary half arguably fell to Sudan, as a ahead skipped previous Edouard Mendy within the twentieth minute however fired huge with the objective gaping.
On the different finish, Senegal wasted a one-on-one alternative and missed one other close-range likelihood simply earlier than the break.
Sudan got here out with renewed confidence within the second half. Simply three minutes after the restart, Mendy was referred to as into motion once more—parrying a long-range effort earlier than smothering the rebound underneath strain.
Sudan’s penalty appeals have been waved away after their attacker went down within the field following the follow-up.
Senegal’s golden second got here within the 54th minute when Sadio Mané acrobatically related with a unfastened ball within the field, solely to ship his overhead kick over the bar with the Sudanese keeper overwhelmed.
Walieldin Khidir missed a wonderful likelihood to win it for Sudan within the 76th minute, scuffing huge from inside the world. Mané once more threatened on the different finish 4 minutes later, however his shot was cleared off the road.
Regardless of late strain, neither facet might discover a winner, and the spoils have been shared in a pulsating encounter that showcased Sudan’s tactical self-discipline and Senegal’s rising frustration.
With this consequence, Sudan proceed to dream of a first-ever World Cup look, whereas Senegal face an uphill battle to reclaim the group’s prime spot. The following spherical of fixtures on Tuesday might show decisive.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Feedback, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform don’t essentially symbolize the views or coverage of Multimedia Group Restricted.
Source link