Senegal struggled without several key players as they drew 0-0 with Sudan on Saturday (Mar 22) and failed to topple their opponents from first place in their World Cup qualifying group. Sudan top Group B with 11 points from five matches, one more than second-placed Democratic Republic of Congo and two more than Senegal, who have drawn three of their five games. Earlier on Saturday, Togo striker Kevin Denkey, who recently moved to Major League Soccer in the U.S, grabbed a 69th minute equaliser to help his side draw 2-2 at home to Mauritania.
Sudan's impressive run in qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup continued as a nation affected by civil war held Senegal to a 0-0 draw on neutral turf.
Sadio Mane came closest to a winner for the visitors late on in Benina, Libya, but saw an attempted chip saved by Sudan keeper Mohamed Mostafa before his follow-up effort was blocked by a defender on the line. Mostafa then pulled off a stunning low stop to keep out a header from Cherif Ndiaye.
Sudan could have taken all three points themselves as Walieldin Khedr sent a shot flashing past the post earlier in the second half.
The Falcons of Jediane sit a point clear of DR Congo at the top of Group B halfway through the African campaign, with Senegal a point further behind.
The top placed team in the nine African groups qualify for next year’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. The four best placed runners-up will chase a possible further place at the finals.
Saturday’s two matches brought up the halfway mark in the African preliminaries for the 2026 finals in North America. A sixth round of qualifiers will be played from Sunday to Tuesday after which there will be four matchdays left in September and October.
