Sudan will take on Senegal in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Saturday evening at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier.

Sudan is one of the remaining teams that have reached the knockout stage of the competition, which began just a few days before the Christmas festivities.

Coached by Ghanaian legend Kwesi Appiah, Sudan has continued to defy odds, reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 2012.

However, the manner in which they qualified has raised eyebrows as they failed to score any goals throughout the group stage. The only goal they scored was an own goal against Equatorial Guinea, but it was enough to see them through.

They opened their campaign in Group E with a 3-0 defeat to 2019 champions Algeria, where former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez scored a brace.

The Falcons of Jediane recouped to beat Equatorial Guinea in their second game, thanks to an own goal by Saul Coco.

Interestingly, they confirmed their place in the Round of 16 before playing their final group game after the results in other groups went their way. They lost to Burkina Faso 2-0, failing to score once again, but that didn't matter in the end.

The two losses and one win saw them finish third in Group E, which entered them into the best loser rankings. Appiah's side were third behind Mozambique and Benin to confirm their place in the Round of 16.

What next for Sudan?

Appiah will need his players to start finding the back of the net as the competition enters the do-or-die stage. Senegal is as tough as competition gets, with the 2021 champions boasting an array of talent headlined by Sadio Mane.

The Teranga Lions will, however, miss captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who will serve a one-match suspension.

"We have respect for Senegal, they are a big footballing country in Africa, they are the former champions, but we are ready. My players will need to prove to me, and to all Sudanese people here and back home, that they deserve to do better than where we are. I think Senegal are the favourites, but I am sure we will give them a very good game," said Appiah via Flashscore.

How Tanzania qualified for AFCON Round of 16

Sudan's case is almost similar to Tanzania's, who qualified for the Round of 16 without winning any game.

The Taifa Stars were beaten by Nigeria before drawing with Uganda and Tunisia, but still made it through.

They will play hosts Morocco on Saturday.