Sudan vs. Senegal: Preview, Match Prediction, Heat to Head Analysis, Team News & Possible Lineups.
Match Details
- Competition: World Cup Qualifying – Africa (Group Stage)
- Date: March 22, 2025
- Time: 7 PM UK Time
- Venue: 28 March Stadium (Neutral Venue)
Match Overview
The African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have reached a crucial stage, and Group B’s top two teams—Sudan and Senegal—are set to battle for supremacy. Sudan has been the surprise package of the group, sitting at the summit with 10 points, while Senegal closely trails with 8 points. With only a few matches remaining, this game could determine who secures direct qualification to the prestigious tournament in North America.
Senegal, one of Africa’s football powerhouses, will aim to reclaim their dominance after a slightly inconsistent campaign. Meanwhile, Sudan, led by James Kwesi Appiah, will seek to maintain their fairy-tale run and continue their bid for a historic first-ever World Cup appearance.
Match Preview
Sudan’s Journey So Far
Despite not being one of the favorites at the start of the qualifiers, Sudan has defied expectations with an unbeaten campaign so far. Their journey began with a 1-1 draw against Togo, where Mohamed Eisa’s early penalty was canceled out by Kevin Denkey’s strike before halftime.
Following this, Sudan built momentum with back-to-back victories:
- 1-0 win against DR Congo
- 2-0 triumph over Mauritania
- 3-0 demolition of South Sudan
Their form has carried over into other competitions, finishing second in their AFCON qualifying group and securing a spot in the upcoming tournament in Morocco. Sudan’s defensive solidity has been key, conceding just one goal in four qualifiers.
Coming into this fixture, Sudan played a goalless draw against Oman in a friendly, extending their unbeaten run to four matches.
Senegal’s Road to Qualification
Senegal entered the qualifiers as favorites but finds itself in an unfamiliar second-place position. Under new manager Pape Thiaw, the Teranga Lions began their campaign with a dominant 4-0 win over South Sudan but were surprisingly held to a 0-0 draw by Togo in the next game.
Their AFCON 2024 journey started in spectacular fashion, winning all three group-stage matches, but ended in heartbreak with a round-of-16 exit on penalties against Ivory Coast. Since then, Senegal has been on a 12-match unbeaten run across competitions, showing their resilience.
Most recently, Senegal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mauritania in June 2024 to stay in contention for a World Cup berth.
Head-to-Head Record
Sudan and Senegal have met three times in competitive fixtures, with Senegal boasting a 100% win record.
Senegal 1-0 Sudan (AFCON Qualifier, 2018)
Sudan 0-2 Senegal (AFCON Qualifier, 2018)
Senegal 2-0 Sudan (Friendly Match, 2012)
Goals Scored: Senegal 5-0 Sudan
Clean Sheets: Senegal 3 | Sudan 0
This dominant record gives Senegal a psychological edge heading into this encounter, but Sudan’s newfound form suggests that they won’t be pushovers this time.
Team News & Expected Lineups
Sudan Team News
Coach James Kwesi Appiah has called up a 27-man squad, primarily featuring players from domestic giants Al Hilal and Al Merrikh.
- Key Players:
- Mohamed Abdelrahman (Captain, Striker) – 23 international goals, looking to break Sudan’s all-time scoring record.
- Ramadan Agab (Defender) – Solid in Sudan’s defensive setup.
- Ahmed Peter El-Fatih (Goalkeeper) – Expected to start in goal.
Sudan Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):
Mustafa; Gadin, Hagi, Agab, Khames; Raouf, Abdalla, Khedr; Muzammil, Gharbal, Teiri
Senegal Team News
Pape Thiaw has introduced six new call-ups, including young talent Assane Diao, who recently chose Senegal over Spain.
- Key Players:
- Sadio Mane (Forward) – Senegal’s talisman, returning from injury.
- Kalidou Koulibaly (Defender) – The team’s defensive leader.
- Yehvann Diouf (Goalkeeper) – A potential debutant.
- Notable Absentees:
- Nicolas Jackson (Hamstring Injury)
Senegal Predicted Lineup (3-4-3):
Mendy; Seck, Koulibaly, Diallo; Diarra, Diatta, Gueye, Sarr; Diallo, Mane, Sarr
Match Prediction & Analysis
Both teams come into this encounter in strong form, but experience and quality favor Senegal.
Sudan’s Strengths:
Compact defensive setup (1 goal conceded in qualifiers)
Playing with high motivation (first-ever WC qualification at stake)
Potential Weakness:
Lack of experience against top-tier African teams
Playing at a neutral venue (not in Sudan)
Senegal’s Strengths:
Star players with tournament experience (Mane, Koulibaly, Gueye)
Strong defensive record (12-match unbeaten run)
Potential Weakness:
Over-reliance on key players (Mane, Koulibaly)
Struggled in breaking down defensive setups (0-0 vs Togo)
Given Senegal’s squad depth and head-to-head record, they are favorites to win. However, Sudan’s defense will make this a tightly contested game.
Prediction: Sudan 0-2 Senegal
Senegal should eventually break down Sudan’s defense, with Sadio Mane likely playing a key role in securing the win. Expect a hard-fought game, but Senegal’s quality should prevail.
Final Thoughts
This Group B clash is crucial for both teams’ World Cup hopes. A win for Sudan would solidify their top spot, while a victory for Senegal would see them reclaim the lead in the standings. With so much at stake, expect a high-intensity battle at the 28 March Stadium!
Who will come out on top? Share your predictions in the comments below!
