Senegal seek greater cutting edge against Sudan in Dakar

Senegal host Sudan at the Stade Leopold-Sedar-Senghor in Dakar on Thursday, 12 November 2026, as the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign reaches matchday three in Group J. Patrick Vieira’s side are unbeaten but have scored only twice in two matches, while Sudan sit third with three points after a heavy defeat by Mozambique.

Senegal are second on four points, level with Mozambique but behind on goal difference, +1 to +3. Vieira’s first competitive match in charge ended in a 1-1 draw in Maputo on 25 September. The Lions of Teranga then secured a narrow 1-0 win in Ethiopia, Ibrahim Mbaye scoring in the 11th minute despite Senegal enjoying 61% possession.

A 1-0 friendly victory over Comoros in Marseille, decided by Iliman Ndiaye, extended Senegal’s run to three successive matches settled by that scoreline. They have conceded only once during that spell.

The squad has changed since the previous fixtures. Ismail Jakobs has retired from international football and Sadio Mane is absent after staying with his family. Vieira has handed first call-ups to Pathe Mboup, Pape Demba Diop, Clayton Diandy and Paul Mendy, while Idrissa Gana Gueye was not selected.

Senegal have never lost any of their eight meetings with Sudan, winning five and drawing three. Their most recent encounter ended in a 3-1 Senegal victory in the last Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 in Tangier in January, with Pape Gueye scoring twice before half-time.

Sudan began qualifying with a 1-0 win over Ethiopia in Juba, Mohamed Eisa scoring from the penalty spot. They were then beaten 4-1 by Mozambique in Maputo, although Yaser Hamed pulled one goal back with another penalty late in the match. Coached by Ghanaian Kwesi Appiah, Sudan rely largely on domestic-based players from Al Hilal and Al Merrikh.

The visitors have no reported injuries or suspensions. Eisa and Yasin Hamed, both already on the scoresheet from penalties, will be seeking their first goals from open play against Senegal’s defence.

Senegal have several fitness concerns. Mamadou Sarr will be unavailable for two to three weeks after suffering a left calf injury while playing for Real Sociedad in the Europa League. Krepin Diatta was also injured with Watford and has been replaced by Sevilla defender Arouna Sangante. Habib Diallo, Ismaila Sarr and Abdallah Sima are also missing.

Those absences leave Nicolas Jackson, Ibrahim Mbaye, Iliman Ndiaye and Boulaye Dia to lead the attack. El Hadji Malick Diouf is expected to operate on the left in Jakobs’ absence, with Kalidou Koulibaly alongside Moussa Niakhate in central defence.

The preview favours a Senegal win without conceding, priced at 1.50, while more than 2.5 goals is listed at 1.45 and Nicolas Jackson to score at 1.85. Its predicted score is Senegal 3-0 Sudan, offered at 5.80 by Betclic.