Papa Gueye at the double as Senegal beat Sundan to move to the last eight of the AFCON

Senegal secured a 3-1 victory over Sudan at the Grand Stade de Tanger to progress to the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations thanks to Papa Gueye’s brace on Saturday afternoon.

The Nile Crocodiles stunned Senegal and took the early lead in the sixth minute, after Abdullah found the top-left corner with a superb strike from the edge of the area.

Senegal almost drew level at the 20th minute mark, but Seck couldn’t connect with a free-kick, and the chance went begging.

At the other end, Édouard Mendy denied Mohamed Eisa at the far post, keeping the Lions of Teranga in the game.

Just before the half-hour mark, Monged El Neel denied Nicolas Jackson from point-blank range after the Bayern Munich striker struck his effort straight at him.

A minute later, Papa Gueye equalised for Senegal after he was found just outside the box, and he unleashed a belter towards the right post beyond a diving El Neel.

In the 37th minute, the Lions of Teranga were awarded a penalty after Ismaila Sarr was brought down in the area by El Neel but after a lengthy VAR check, the spot-kick was ruled out as Jackson was offside in the build-up.

On the stroke of halftime, Gueye could’ve doubled his tally and fired Senegal ahead but his effort was parried away by El Neel.

Deep into stoppage-time of the first-half, Gueye gave the Lions of Teranga the deserved lead after he was found by Jackson and the Sevilla man found the top-left corner.

Three minutes after the restart, Sheddy Berglan almost restored parity but his chipped effort was denied by Mendy.

Just before the hour mark, Krépin Diatta struck his effort from a free-kick straight at El Neel as Senegal continued to dominate.

Moments later, Diatta had his sights on goal again, but his attempted chip went over the bar.

In the 77th minute, substitute Ibrahim Mbaye scored Senegal’s third after three minutes of being introduced when Sadio Mané played a long ball over the top for the youngster to chase and he slotted past El Neel into the top corner.

Moments later, the youngster missed a chance to get his second after he headed just over the bar from a Diouf pinpoint cross.

On the stroke of full-time, Diatta made a well-timed challenge to deny Mohamed Nouh from taking a shot.

Senegal progress to the quarterfinals where they will face either Mail or Tunisia on Friday, January 9th.