Senegal will look to strengthen their position at the top of Group J when they face Sudan at the Stade National de Juba on Monday, 16 November 2026, with kick-off at 14:00. Patrick Vieira’s side have seven points from three matches after their 4-1 victory over Sudan in Dakar last Thursday, while the hosts are third on three points, having recorded one win and two defeats.
The result in Dakar was Senegal’s third successive unbeaten match since Vieira replaced Pape Thiaw following the Lions’ elimination by Belgium in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
Senegal began their campaign with a 1-1 draw in Mozambique, Nicolas Jackson scoring, before Ibrahim Mbaye’s early goal secured a 1-0 win in Ethiopia. They then produced an impressive first home performance under Vieira, with Jackson opening the scoring in the 31st minute.
Mohamed Abuaagla equalised for Sudan shortly before half-time, but Senegal scored three times in 25 minutes after the break to complete a convincing victory. They will attempt to repeat that display in Juba and arrive with a strong record against Sudan, having avoided defeat in all nine previous meetings in all competitions.
Sudan, ranked 118th in the world compared with Senegal’s 18th position, opened their qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Ethiopia in Juba. Mohamed Eisa scored from a late penalty in the 86th minute.
However, the Falcons of Jediane have since lost heavily to Mozambique and Senegal, conceding four goals in each match. Yasin Hamed scored a late penalty in the 4-1 defeat in Mozambique, while Abuaagla’s goal in Dakar was Sudan’s first from open play in the campaign.
James Kwesi Appiah’s side have conceded eight goals in their past two games, and both of their only two victories in their last nine matches came when they kept clean sheets. They will also have to play on neutral ground in Juba, in South Sudan, and face the effects of a long journey back from Dakar.
Sudan’s 24-man squad is built largely around players from domestic heavyweights Al Hilal and Al Merrikh. Eisa, Yasir Mozamil and Abubakr Eisa are among their main attacking options, while Ahmed Tabanja, Mustafa Karshom and goalkeeper Mohamed Mustafa will be tasked with resisting Senegal’s forwards.
Vieira is without several established Senegal players. Sadio Mane and Idrissa Gana Gueye were not selected, while Ismail Jakobs retired from international football in October. Krepin Diatta withdrew through injury and was replaced by Sevilla defender Arouna Sangante.
Mamadou Sarr, Habib Diarra, Ismaila Sarr and Abdallah Sima are also unavailable. Senegal can nevertheless call on Nicolas Jackson and Ibrahim Mbaye, supported by Boulaye Dia, Iliman Ndiaye and debutant Pathe Mboup, who scored on his first appearance last Thursday. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly leads the defence, while Dion Lopy returns after missing the previous international break.
Senegal’s technical quality and squad depth make them favourites, although the margin is expected to be closer than in the first meeting. A 2-1 Senegal victory would take them to 10 points and deliver a third consecutive Group J win.
