Back at Senghor, Senegal dominated Sudan (4-1), thanks in particular to goals from Ibrahim Mbaye and Rennes striker Boulaye Dia, and provisionally top Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium in Dakar welcomed the Lions back after more than seven years away. On matchday 3 of Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, Senegal beat Sudan 4-1 on Thursday, 12 November 2026, according to Africa Top Sports.
In head coach Patrick Vieira’s 4-4-2, Ibrahim Mbaye started on the right, alongside Boulaye Dia and Nicolas Jackson in attack, according to PressAfrik and Foot Africa. Four new players made their senior international debuts on the occasion, Foot Africa notes.
Jackson opens, Abuagla responds
Senegal’s first goal came in the 31st minute. Nicolas Jackson, the Aston Villa striker, followed up a shot from Ibrahim Mbaye that was parried by Sudan goalkeeper Moustapha Mohamed and opened the scoring, according to Foot Africa.
Sudan captain Mohamed Abuagla equalised just before half-time, getting the better of Kalidou Koulibaly, the Lions’ centre-back and captain, the same source reports. Senegal therefore went into the dressing room level.
Dia, Mbaye then Mboup turn the screw
After the break, Senegal retook the lead. Boulaye Dia, the Stade Rennais striker, headed home in the 61st minute from an El Hadji Malick Diouf cross, according to Foot Africa.
Three minutes later, Ibrahim Mbaye scored Senegal’s third goal, his second for the national team, according to Africa Top Sports. Pathé Mboup, of Brest, completed the scoring in the 86th minute with his very first touch in a Senegal shirt, Foot Mercato reports.
Tribute to Mendy and what comes next
Before kick-off, the Senegalese Football Federation paid tribute to former international goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, who has retired. “60 caps, two stars and infinite emotions,” the FSF wrote, as quoted by Le Soleil.
With seven points, Senegal sit provisionally top of Group J, three points ahead of Mozambique, who have a game in hand, according to Foot Mercato. The Lions face Sudan again on 16 November 2026 in the return leg, according to Benin Web TV.
Boulaye Dia and Ibrahim Mbaye will return to Stade Rennais in Ligue 1 after the international break.