Senegal’s national football team is set to face Sudan in a crucial World Cup qualifier on March 22, 2025, despite ongoing security concerns.
The match, which will take place in the Libyan city of Benghazi at 7 p.m., is pivotal for both teams as they continue their quest for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Initially, Senegal’s authorities sought to prevent the match from being held in Libya due to the political instability in the region.
However, after extensive deliberations, it was confirmed that the game would proceed in Benghazi, where Sudan has been hosting their “home” fixtures for the duration of the qualifiers.
The Nile Crocodiles, having played their previous matches against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Togo at the Martyrs Stadium in Benina, will again face the Lions of Senegal in Libya for this crucial encounter.
Sudan currently leads Group B with 10 points, closely followed by Senegal with 8 points.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is not far behind, sitting on 7 points.
A victory in this match would allow Senegal to leapfrog Sudan into first place, putting them in a strong position to control their own destiny as they aim for a place in the 2026 World Cup.
However, the match will be played in a tense environment, marked by ongoing insecurity in the region.
The Libyan city of Benghazi has faced political and security challenges for years, and concerns over the safety of players, staff, and supporters have been voiced by various parties, including Senegal’s football authorities.
While there were hopes for the match to be relocated to a safer venue, it seems that these concerns have not led to any changes in the final decision.
The Senegalese squad, led by captain Sadio Mané, will have to focus on the task at hand as they prepare for what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.
With both teams vying for crucial points, the match in Libya will play a significant role in shaping the qualification hopes of both nations.
Senegal’s manager and football officials have expressed concerns over the security situation, but the team is determined to take to the field.
The atmosphere of uncertainty surrounding the venue does little to diminish the importance of the match for both Senegal and Sudan, with the result potentially having lasting implications on the qualification campaign for both sides.
As the 2026 World Cup qualifiers intensify, Senegal will need to ensure they perform under pressure in hostile conditions, and with only a narrow margin separating the top teams in Group B, every point will count as they aim to secure their place in the global tournament.
