Senegal is set to kick off 2026 with an exciting matchup against Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage, scheduled for Saturday, January 3, at 17:00 at the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier. This marks an important milestone for Sudan, as they are making their first appearance in the knockout round since 2012.
Senegal, known as the Teranga Lions, finished as the leaders of Group D, edging out the Democratic Republic of Congo on goal difference. They will rely on the prowess of star players like Sadio Mané and Nicolas Jackson as they seek to progress past the Round of 16, a stage where they faced elimination in the previous tournament against the host nation, Côte d’Ivoire. However, Senegal will be without their captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who is suspended following a red card received in the last group match against Benin.
On the other side, Sudan’s journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. They advanced as one of the best third-placed teams, finishing Group E with three points from a win against Equatorial Guinea. Interestingly, Sudan’s remarkable run has come with a unique statistic; they have reached the knockout stage without scoring a single goal, with their only tally coming via an own goal. This achievement stands out in the tournament’s history and reflects their resilience amid ongoing challenges that have forced them to host matches in neighboring countries.
In their historical encounters, Senegal has typically had the upper hand, winning four of the seven previous matchups, while three ended in draws.
Later in the day, at 20:00, Mali will face Tunisia at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. Both teams advanced to the knockout stage without showing their best form during the group matches. Mali progressed from Group A with three draws, while Tunisia secured second place in Group C with four points. In their historical rivalry, Tunisia holds a slight edge with seven wins against Mali’s five from a total of 15 encounters. Their last match ended in a 1-1 draw during the AFCON 2023.
As these exciting clashes approach, fans can anticipate thrilling performances and unexpected outcomes as teams strive for success on this prestigious stage.