Senegal marked their return to the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor after more than seven years away with a statement win, beating Sudan 4-1 in Dakar on Thursday night to move top of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group.
For 45 minutes it did not look like a rout. Patrick Vieira's side dominated without finishing the job — Iliman Ndiaye struck the woodwork — before Nicolas Jackson finally broke through on 31 minutes, reacting quickest after the Sudan goalkeeper spilled an Ibrahim Mbaye effort, as Africa Top Sports reported. Sudan, with their only real chance of the half, stunned the home crowd on the stroke of half-time: captain Mohamed Abuaagla punished hesitant defending to level at 1-1.
Three goals in 25 minutes settle it
Senegal came out after the break with a different gear. On 61 minutes El Hadji Malick Diouf crossed and Boulaye Dia rose to head the Lions of Teranga back in front. Three minutes later Ndiaye won the ball and played in Ibrahim Mbaye — Jackson's Aston Villa team-mate — who beat the goalkeeper to make it 3-1, a sequence Pan Africa Football recorded in identical detail.
The night still had its best story left. Brest winger Pathe Mboup, on for his senior Senegal debut, was picked out by Pape Matar Sarr on 86 minutes and scored within seconds of coming on — a debut goal that sealed the 4-1 scoreline and sent the Senghor crowd home talking about a new name, not just the established ones.
What top spot means for Group J
Senegal now sit top of Group J on seven points from three matches, while Sudan stay on three points. The two sides meet again on Monday in the reverse fixture, and a second win would put Vieira's team within touching distance of the finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda next summer.
The depth on show matters beyond one group. This was a Senegal win built without leaning on the old guard — four different scorers, Mbaye stepping up alongside Jackson, and a debutant scoring with his first involvement. It is the same changing-of-the-guard story running across African football this month, from the CAF Player of the Year shortlist that snubbed Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen to Mamelodi Sundowns' ruthless CAF final win earlier this week.
Beyond the Final Whistle: Senegal's problem for years was what happens when the Mane generation fades. Nights like this are the answer arriving in public — Jackson leading the line at Aston Villa level, Mbaye fearless, Mboup scoring on debut. Vieira does not have a transition problem; he has a selection headache of the best kind, and Group J is already bending to it.
Is this Senegal side now the team to beat at AFCON 2027, or will the old guard still be needed when the knockouts come? Tell us what you think in the comments.
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