Match Preview for Senegal v Sudan
Senegal remain one of the favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations having breezed through the group phase but all is not well behind the scenes.
Rumours of discord between the Senegalese Football Federation and head coach Pape Thiaw have dogged the team ever since arriving in Morocco and the FSF this morning issued a statement to deny suggestions there would be an imminent change.
The statement denounced the “the persistence of certain rumours and information spread by parts of the press, suggesting the existence of a conflict or underlying tensions between the federation and the national coach.”
It specifically dismissed claims the FSF president Abdoulaye Fall and Thiaw were not on speaking terms, adding: “Beyond strictly professional and hierarchical relations, the FSF president maintains extremely cordial and fraternal ties with the national coach and all members of the technical staff.”
It is not an ideal backdrop to Senegal’s round of 16 clash with Sudan.
The Lions of Teranga claimed seven points from their three Group D games and cruised past Benin 3-0 on Tuesday.
They are overwhelming favourites to see off Sudan, who qualified as one of the best third-placed teams, and reach the last eight.
The Sudanese have reached this stage without one of their players scoring a goal. Defeats to Algeria and Burkina Faso bookended a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea courtesy of Saul Coco’s 74th-minute own goal.
It is the first time Sudan have reached this stage, a remarkable achievement given the turmoil ongoing at home.
Team News for Senegal v Sudan
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly is suspended after being sent off against Benin. Thiaw is also without the injured Ilay Camara and Assane Diao.
Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra could start.
Sudan cannot call upon injured trio Abuaagla Mohamed, Abobaker Eisa and Adil Salaheldin.
Predicted line-ups for Senegal v Sudan
Senegal: Mendy; Diatta, Seck, M Sarr, Diouf; I Gueye, P Sarr, Diarra; Mane, Ndiaye, Jackson
Sudan: Elneel; Awad, Saeed Ahmed, Karshom, Khamis; Taifour, Alhassan Omer; Nooh, Eisa, Abdelrahman
How to watch Senegal v Sudan: TV and online streams
Kick-off on Saturday is at 4pm UK time. In the UK, live coverage is on Channel 4’s YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.
Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.
Stats for Senegal v Sudan
- Senegal have won four and drawn three of the past seven meetings between the teams
- Sudan have won just two of their last 15 games in all competitions
Senegal have too much firepower with the likes of Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson a formidable trio.
Add in the energy of Habib Diarra and Pape Mate Sarr in midfield and it could be a long afternoon for Sudan, who can be proud of what they have achieved in Morocco.
Their journey will end here, though.
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