Sudan to Face Senegal as Algeria and Burkina Faso Progress

Sudan will play 2022 champions Senegal in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after a 2-0 defeat to Burkina Faso in their final Group E match on Wednesday. At the same time, Algeria beat Equatorial Guinea 3-1 to finish the group with a perfect record.

Burkina Faso took the lead early at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca through Lassina Traore. Sudan were given a chance to equalise in the first half, but Algozoli Nooh missed from the penalty spot. Arsene Kouassi later sealed the win for Burkina Faso with a late goal.

Both Burkina Faso and Sudan had already qualified for the knockout stage behind group winners Algeria. Burkina Faso needed only to avoid defeat and finished second in the group. They will now travel to Marrakesh to face the winners of Group F in the last 16.

Sudan, despite losing two of their three group matches, progressed as one of the best third-placed teams after a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea earlier in the tournament. Ranked 117th in the world, Sudan have reached the knockout stage for only the second time since winning the competition in 1970. They will now face Senegal in Tangier on Saturday, a tough test against one of the tournament favourites.

Algeria, meanwhile, completed the group stage with three wins from three matches after easing past Equatorial Guinea in Rabat. With qualification already secured, coach Vladimir Petkovic made nine changes to his starting line-up.

Despite the changes, the two-time champions were comfortable. Zineddine Belaid opened the scoring from a corner, before Fares Chaibi doubled the lead following a fine pass from Ibrahim Maza. Maza then added a third goal himself, as Algeria wrapped up the win. Emilio Nsue scored a late consolation goal for Equatorial Guinea.

Algeria will now face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 16, as they continue their strong push for the title.