Surprise packets Sudan survived a battering from star-stacked Senegal to pressure a 0-0 draw on Saturday, and stay prime of African Group B in 2026 World Cup qualifying. Forced to stage dwelling matches in Libyan metropolis Benghazi due to the Sudanese civil warfare that has raged since April 2023, Sudan have 11 factors midway by way of the 10-round competitors. Democratic Republic of Congo lie second with 10 factors, Senegal have 9, Togo 4, and Mauritania and South Sudan two every. The 9 group winners in Africa qualify robotically for the World Cup within the United States, Canada and Mexico.
There may very well be a tenth qualifier if the winners of an African mini-tournament involving the 4 best-ranked runners-up end among the many prime two in inter-continental play-offs.
Senegal, searching for a 3rd straight look on the international showpiece, dominated possession and had 19 aim makes an attempt, however simply 4 on course.
There was no respite for the Sudanese, who additionally needed to defend 11 corners as Senegal sought most factors and first place.
On the uncommon events Sudan broke into the Senegal half, they proved extra correct, getting three of seven aim makes an attempt on course, together with two close to misses.
Captain Ramadan Agab was amongst three Sudanese yellow-carded in three minutes in the course of the second half, whereas star Senegal ahead Sadio Mane was booked later. Â Â
The Sudanese have been the happier aspect at full-time having taken some extent off a workforce that began with eight gamers from prime European leagues and three from the Saudi Pro League.Â
Fleeing
Sudan used seven gamers from their main golf equipment, Al Hilal and Al Merrikh. Three are primarily based in Libya and Abdelrahman Kuku is with an Australian second-tier aspect.
Fleeing a warfare that has claimed tens of 1000’s of lives and uprooted greater than 12 million folks, Hilal and Merrikh relocated to Mauritania, the place they compete within the nationwide league.
Elsewhere, Togo and Mauritania remained winless in the identical group after drawing 2-2 in Lome, the place the house workforce led and trailed earlier than Kevin Denkey equalised on 69 minutes. Â
Thibault Klidje obtained the Togolese off to an excellent begin by scoring after simply 4 minutes. Aboubakary Koita levelled on 52 minutes and Abdallahi Mahmoud put Mauritania forward quickly after. Â ÂTogo stay fourth, seven factors behind Sudan, whereas Mauritania rose one place to fifth, forward of South Sudan on aim distinction.
Emmanuel Adebayor-inspired Togo have been shock qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the place they misplaced all three group video games. Since then they haven’t come near repeating that feat.
It was the primary aggressive match answerable for Mauritania for Spanish coach Aritz Lopez Garai, who was 33 years outdated when he made his La Liga debut.Â
He changed Marseille-born Amir Abdou, who was sacked final November after the nation did not qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Matchday six kicks off on Sunday with two fixtures. Kenya host Gabon in Nairobi whereas Eswatini face Mauritius in South African metropolis Mbombela as a result of they lack a FIFA-approved stadium.
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