Senegal 4–1 Sudan

Group J’s narrow gap

Senegal sit top of Group J with four points after two matches, while Sudan are third with three. The one-point gap gives this Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group-stage fixture added significance: a Sudan victory would bring them level with Senegal, while the leaders can strengthen their position with another positive result.

Qualification results so far

In their two matches in this competition, Senegal have drawn once and won once, scoring twice and conceding once. Their latest qualifying match ended in a win, and they have kept one clean sheet.

Sudan have one win and one defeat in the same number of games, with two goals scored and four conceded. Their most recent match was a defeat. Away from home in this competition, they have lost their only match, scoring once and conceding four.

Senegal’s unbeaten head-to-head record

Senegal have not lost any of their last five meetings with Sudan, winning two and drawing three; Sudan have no wins in that sequence. The most recent meeting, in January 2026 at the Africa Cup of Nations, ended in a 3-1 Senegal victory.

The broader record points to the possibility of a tight contest: four of those five meetings featured two goals or fewer. Senegal’s latest win is a reminder, though, that the recent pattern has also included a more open result.

Our prediction

Senegal have the head-to-head advantage and a stronger defensive record in this qualifying campaign, but the leading outcomes are close and the other possibilities together remain more likely than a Senegal win alone. A draw is a credible alternative, so expect a cautious contest in which Senegal have a slight edge rather than a clear path to victory.