The 5 key players in the Senegal vs Sudan match
Senegal/@caf
The first round of 16 clash in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations pits Senegal against Sudan this Saturday, January 3, kicking off at 16:00 GMT in Tangier. Here are the key match players to watch.
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Moussa Niakhaté (Senegal)
Rested against Benin, Moussa Niakhaté is expected to return to the starting lineup to cover for the suspended Kalidou Koulibaly in this round of 16 encounter. The OL defender will shoulder the heavy responsibility of stabilizing the Lions’ backline.
Sadio Mané (Senegal)
Scoreless against Botswana, Sadio Mané broke through versus DR Congo, but couldn’t find the net again against Benin. Once more, all eyes will be on him. Pape Thiaw is counting on his star forward to take Senegal deep into the tournament.
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Habib Diallo (Senegal)
His goal against Benin could spark a turning point for him—something he clearly needed. Expect him to be a real menace for the Sudanese defense throughout the match.
Monged Elneel (Sudan)
Given a rest against Burkina Faso, Monged Elneel is set to reclaim his spot between the posts. He’ll be in for a busy afternoon facing Senegal’s attacking firepower and will need to deliver a top-class performance if Sudan are to pull off an upset.
Bakhit Khamis (Sudan)
As team captain, Al Ahli Tripoli’s left-back must step up as a leader, reminding his teammates that anything is possible on the pitch.
