Gambiaj.com – (TANGIERS, Morocco) – Villareal Pape Gueye’s brace helped Senegal come from behind to beat Sudan 3-1. Sudan took a shock lead just six minutes in when Aamir Abdallah beat Edouard Mendy with a curling strike into the top corner, but Gueye drew Senegal level in the 29th minute with a composed strike from the edge of the box after being teed up by Sadio Mane.
Ismaila Sarr thought he had won a penalty for Senegal late in the half, but he was offside as he went through on goal, and he then had a goal disallowed after straying offside again.
However, Gueye struck in first-half stoppage time, turning in Nicolas Jackson’s cutback, and Paris St. Germain’s 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye came off the bench to make sure of the win with a fine goal in the 77th minute.
Pape Thiaw’s team had already come from behind to draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo during the group stage, and Gueye said the victory showcased their fighting spirit.
“We showed against Congo that we are capable of coming from behind in a game, and that is what we did tonight, so we are very happy,” remarked the midfielder.
“It means a lot. It shows how good the spirit in the camp is. It was a very difficult match. We played against Sudan before, and they made life hard for us.
“But we managed to keep our focus and score when the chances came along.“
Senegal will now stay in Tangiers to face their West African neighbors Mali in the last eight next Friday after the Eagles prevailed 3-2 on penalties against Tunisia following a 1-1 draw at the end of 90 minutes and extra time.
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