Pape Gueye delivered a masterclass in midfield and in front of goal, earning the Man of the Match award as Senegal came from behind to beat Sudan 3–1 in Tangier and book their place in the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals.
The midfielder struck twice in the first half, completely turning the game around after Sudan’s early shock.
Sudan had stunned the defending champions after just six minutes when Aamir Abdallah finished a rapid counter with a brilliant curling effort.
Senegal needed a response, and Gueye provided it on 29 minutes, latching onto a pass from Sadio Mane and driving a low shot past the keeper to level. Deep into first-half stoppage time, he struck again, this time with a superb curling finish from inside the box after good work from Nicolas Jackson, sending Senegal into the break 2–1 up.
After the interval, Edouard Mendy produced a crucial save to deny Sheddy Barglan before Senegal took full control.
Substitute Ibrahima Mbaye added a third from another Mané assist on 77 minutes, but it was Gueye’s decisive brace and all-round authority that rightly earned him the individual honour on a dominant night for the Lions of Teranga.
