Sudan and Senegal have both progressed to the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 after playing out a tense 0-0 draw at Zanzibar’s Amaan Stadium on Tuesday night.
The result secured top spot in Group D for Sudan on goal difference, with defending champions Senegal advancing as runners-up.
The fixture, billed as the group’s decider, was a cagey affair with both sides reluctant to concede ground.
Sudan, buoyed by their emphatic 4-0 win over Nigeria, entered the match brimming with confidence under Ghanaian coach Kwesi Appiah. Senegal, meanwhile, knew that only defeat would eliminate them and set out to frustrate their opponents.
Chances came at a premium. Senegal’s Pape Badji squandered two good opportunities, while Sudan’s Abdel Raouf Yagoub forced a save from goalkeeper Marc Diouf with a long-range strike. The biggest flashpoint arrived in first-half stoppage time when Sudan appealed for a penalty, but VAR ruled no infringement to the relief of Souleymane Diallo’s men.
The second half followed a similar pattern: intense midfield battles, fierce tackles, and near-misses. Sudan’s Musa Hussien wasted their best chance by firing over from close range, while Mohamed Tia Asad also went narrowly wide. Senegal, struggling to break down Sudan’s disciplined defence, finished with ten men after Mbaye Yaya Ly received a second booking in added time.
With the draw, both teams ended on five points, though Sudan’s superior goal difference (+4 to Senegal’s +1) saw them claim top spot. Nigeria, despite beating Congo 2-0 in Dar es Salaam, were eliminated, finishing third.
Sudan now face Algeria in the quarter-finals, while Senegal will travel to Kampala to play hosts Uganda. With all three East African co-hosts already through, the knockout stages promise to deliver high drama and capacity crowds.
