Senegal-Sudan (4-1): magic in the air at the Léopold Sédar Senghor stadium November 12, 2026

We had to wait until the second half to see the Lions really roar. Jostled in the game and uninspired before the break, Senegal finally defeated Sudan (4-1). A big victory which brings Patrick Vieira’s men a little closer to qualifying for CAN 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The Lions, however, found the fault after half an hour of play. On a strike from Ibrahima Mbaye, the Sudanese goalkeeper released the ball. On the lookout, Nicolas Jackson took the opportunity to push the leather into the back of the net. But this advantage does not last. Sudan reacts and returns to the score thanks to Abdalla, who easily eliminates captain Kalidou Koulibaly with a hook before adjusting Yehvann Diouf. The passivity of the Senegalese defense is quite disconcerting. The Lions are joined in the score by the hungry Sudanese who are back at 1-1, holding off the double African champions.

This first period is far from being mastered by Dion Lopy’s partners, imposing in the middle. Despite some interesting sequences, the game lacks fluidity, the sequences are approximate and clear opportunities are rare. At the break, Senegal was still struggling to impose its rhythm against an eye-catching Sudanese team.

The clinical Lions in the second half

Returning from the locker room changes the scenario. More enterprising, fairer in their sequences, the Lions raise their voice. Boulaye Dia gives his team some breathing room by heading in a delicious cross from Diouf (61′). The break is made, and Senegal can finally play with more serenity.

From then on, spaces opened up and the Senegalese collective freed itself. Iliman Ndiaye delights with his work and his percussion before serving Ibrahima Mbaye, who scores the third goal of the game. The young striker, already involved in the first goal, confirmed his superb performance and established himself as one of the big men of this evening. The hour mark marked the start of the sinking of the “Crocodiles of the Nile” who conceded two goals in the space of three minutes.

Read also: From “Magic in the Air” to La Tanière: the beautiful destiny of Pathé Mboup

But this evening of reunion with the Léopold Sédar Senghor stadium could not be fully magical without one last splash of brilliance. Pathé Mboup was responsible for offering it in the last minutes. Entering during the game, the former young participant in the “Magic in the Air” clip also found the net for his first selection with the Lions. A remarkable debut for the Brestois, as a nod to this song which has become one of the anthems of major football festivals. Senegal thus completes its success with four achievements.

After a laborious first period, the Lions ended up showing their superiority. With this success (4-1), they provisionally bring their total to seven points and take the lead in Group J, awaiting the meeting between Mozambique and Ethiopia this Friday.

All eyes are now on Khartoum for the return match. From Monday at 1 p.m., a new victory against Sudan could allow Senegal to validate its ticket for the final phase of CAN 2027 two days before the end of the qualifiers. The Lions did the hardest part. They still have to finish the job.

By Cheikh Gora DIOP