The knockout stage of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) ignited on Saturday with dramatic victories for two West African powerhouses. Defending champions Senegal staged a comeback to defeat a spirited Sudan 3-1, while Mali showed incredible resilience to overcome Tunisia 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, setting up an all-West African quarter-final showdown.
Lions of Teranga Roar Back Against Sudan
The match in Tangiers delivered an early shock as Sudan, ranked nearly 100 places below Senegal, took a surprise lead. The goal came from semi-professional striker Aamir Abdallah, who plays for a second-tier club in Melbourne, with a beautifully curled effort that stunned the favourites.
However, the 2022 champions demonstrated their championship pedigree. They drew level before the half-hour mark when African football legend Sadio Mane provided the assist for Pape Gueye to score. Gueye, the Villarreal midfielder, then turned the game on its head by netting again in first-half stoppage time to give Senegal a 2-1 lead at the break.
Senegal sealed their place in the last eight in the 77th minute through rising star Ibrahim Mbaye. The Paris Saint-Germain teenager showed great composure to slot home at the near post, confirming a 3-1 victory and a quarter-final berth.
"We showed against Congo that we are capable of coming from behind in a game and that is what we did tonight," said two-goal hero Pape Gueye. "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."
Eagles of Mali Soar with Ten Men
Earlier in Casablanca, Mali's journey to the quarter-finals was paved with sheer grit and drama. Their task became monumental when defender Woyo Coulibaly was shown a straight red card in the 26th minute for a reckless challenge.
Playing with ten men for almost 100 minutes of football, Mali looked destined for exit when Tunisia's substitute Firas Chaouat headed in an 88th-minute goal. Yet, in the sixth minute of added time, Mali won a penalty for a handball, which Lassine Sinayoko calmly converted to force extra time.
With no further goals, the match went to a tense shootout. Mali captain Yves Bissouma missed their first kick, but goalkeeper Djigui Diarra emerged as the hero, saving two Tunisian penalties. El Bilal Toure, who had missed a spot-kick in the group stage, held his nerve to score the decisive penalty, sending Mali through with a 3-2 shootout win.
"Before the game I said my team were already heroes and now there is no other word after we played for so long with 10 men," an emotional Mali coach Tom Saintfiet stated. "Every player fought for their country."
Road to the Crown Continues
The results mean Senegal and Mali will clash in the quarter-finals next Friday in Tangiers, promising a captivating West African derby with a semi-final spot at stake. Senegal will aim to continue their title defence, while Mali will be buoyed by their incredible show of character.
The AFCON 2026 last-16 action continues on Sunday, with hosts Morocco taking on debutants Tanzania, and five-time champions Cameroon facing South Africa. The stage is set for more unforgettable moments as Africa's finest compete for continental glory in Morocco.
