Senegal and Mali reach the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

On January 3, two Round of 16 matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations took place. In one of them, Senegal faced Sudan, while Mali played against Tunisia.

Senegal, considered the favorites of the tie, secured a confident 3–1 victory over Sudan, although the start of the match was worrying for Papa Thiaw’s team. As early as the 6th minute, Sudanese winger Ali Abdalla opened the scoring with a spectacular curling shot.

However, the Senegalese quickly took control of the game and went ahead before halftime. Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye scored a brace, firing two powerful shots from the edge of the penalty area. In the second half, Senegal’s advantage was extended by 17-year-old PSG forward Ibrahima Mbaye, who came on as a substitute.

In the second match, the tension lasted until the very end. Mali had been playing with ten men since the 26th minute following the dismissal of Woyo Coulibaly, but Tunisia struggled to capitalize on their numerical advantage. Only in the 88th minute did Firas Chaouat put Tunisia ahead.

It seemed that Mali were about to be eliminated, but in stoppage time Lassine Sinayoko converted a penalty in the 96th minute, sending the match into extra time. The score remained unchanged in overtime, and Mali prevailed in the penalty shootout, winning 3–2.

In the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal and Mali will face each other. The match will take place on January 9 in Tangier, Morocco.