On his debut for Senegal, Ibrahim Mbaye (18, Aston Villa) scored against Sudan (4-1) on Thursday 12 November 2026 in Dakar, on matchday 3 of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
At the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor in Dakar, Senegal beat Sudan 4-1 on Thursday 12 November 2026, on matchday 3 of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, according to L’Équipe and APS. Ibrahim Mbaye, 18, found the back of the net on his debut for the Lions, under head coach Patrick Vieira.
The final score does not tell the whole story. According to Yahoo Sports, it was his shot, parried by the opposing goalkeeper, that allowed his teammate Nicolas Jackson to open the scoring. Mbaye then made it 3-1, a goal described as “magnificent” by the Senegalese outlet WIW Sports. The Senegalese press, via Yahoo Sports, praised the young player’s contribution, while noting a quieter first half.
A “magnificent” goal that all but sealed the win
Ibrahim Mbaye’s goal made it 3-1, all but sealing victory for Patrick Vieira’s men, according to Yahoo Sports. The Senegalese outlet WIW Sports gave him a rating of 6/10, judging him “the least prominent Senegalese attacker” in the first half, while praising his “magnificent” goal. This assessment, relayed by Yahoo Sports, concerns that outlet only.
In its analysis, WIW Sports did not mince words about the first half: “While he was certainly decisive in opening the scoring with the shot that forced the opposing goalkeeper into a mistake, he was the least prominent attacking player in a first half in which he never managed to get the better of his opposite number, Yaser Awad Boshara”. The verdict is harsh, but it takes nothing away from the player’s ultimate impact on the match.
Senegal top Group J
With this win, Patrick Vieira’s Senegal moved to the top of Group J with 7 points, report Africa Sports and Tribuna. Qualification for the 2027 AFCON remains the objective of the campaign.
The other scorers on the night were Boulaye Dia and Pathé Mboup, according to L’Équipe. The Lions’ collective performance was praised by APS, which spoke of a collective response and a mindset to maintain.
A return match in Juba
The return match against Sudan is scheduled for Monday 16 November 2026 in Juba, according to APS. A fresh opportunity for Ibrahim Mbaye to back up his debut in the Lions shirt.