Senegal vs Sudan Player Ratings: Malick Diouf 8.5/10 as Clinical Lions Of Teranga Crush Sudan 4-1

From our perspective, this Senegal vs Sudan clash felt one-sided long before the scoreline showed it. After a scrappy first half, where Sudan somehow reached the break at 1-1, the hosts simply raised the tempo and blew them away. We noticed how the rhythm shifted right after the interval, with Senegal’s pressing sharper and their wide players pinning Sudan’s back line deep.

What stood out to us most was the variety in Senegal’s attacks at the Senegal end of the pitch. Crosses from El Hadji Malick Diouf, combination play involving Nicolas Jackson, and clever movement by Iliman Ndiaye kept Sudan chasing shadows. When Boulaye Dia’s header and Ibrahim Mbaye’s cool finish turned the game from 1-1 to 3-1, Sudan’s body language slumped badly.

From our experience watching a lot of African qualifiers, this felt like a classic home dominance story. The visitors defended bravely at times, but individual mistakes and constant fouls killed them. Even their lone goal from Abuaagla Abdalla, after neat work by Walieldin Khidir, never really changed our feeling that Senegal were in control. By the time Pathé Mboup smashed in the fourth, the only surprise was that the score at Sudan’s expense was not even heavier. Check out the Senegal vs Sudan player ratings.

Senegal Player Ratings vs Sudan

Here are the Senegal national football team player ratings from the Senegal vs Sudan player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Yehvann Diouf - 6.5: Diouf had a mostly quiet evening behind a dominant defence. He made one key save from Mohamed Eisa late on, showing sharp reactions and strong wrists. We noticed he stayed calm with the ball despite Sudan pressing in short spells. His distribution was solid with several accurate long balls finding midfield runners. He could do little about Abuaagla’s neat finish for the equaliser. Overall steady, but rarely truly tested across the ninety.

Defenders

Kalidou Koulibaly - 7: As captain, Koulibaly quietly controlled Senegal’s back line. We saw him constantly barking instructions and keeping the defensive line compact. Sudan rarely threatened centrally, largely because he stepped out to intercept passes early. His long balls were useful in launching quick counters from deep. He lost one duel but generally looked physically dominant and composed. Not spectacular, yet exactly the kind of authoritative display we expected from him.

Sadibou Sané - 7: Sané had a busy match, especially in the second half as Sudan chased. What stood out to us was his aggression in duels and willingness to step into midfield. He conceded a few corners but recovered with strong clearances and tackles. His passing from the back was reliable and helped Senegal recycle possession under mild pressure. The late yellow card came from over-commitment rather than laziness. Overall he balanced steel and calm rather well on the right side.

Moussa Niakhaté - 7: Niakhaté’s performance grew as the match progressed and Senegal took control. He produced one delightful assist-type ball early that Jackson nearly headed in, showing his vision. We noticed his positioning was clever, often squeezing Sudan’s forwards away from dangerous zones. His passing numbers reflect how much he helped build from the back. At times he looked a touch casual in duels but never truly exposed. For us, he delivered a quietly influential outing in defence.

Midfielders

Lamine Camara - 7: Camara played with real maturity, knitting midfield phases smoothly. He won several free kicks in advanced areas, easing pressure and setting up attacks. We noticed his body language after fouls, slightly frustrated yet still disciplined. Defensively he pressed intelligently, making five tackles and limiting Sudan’s transitions. Some of his passes forward lacked punch, but he kept the tempo tidy. All in all, a strong two-way midfield display that helped Senegal dominate territory.

Ibrahim Mbaye - 8: Mbaye felt like one of the real tone-setters for Senegal. He constantly drove down the right, winning duels and stretching Sudan’s block. His goal for 3-1, a composed right-footed finish from the centre, effectively killed the contest. We noticed his confidence spike after that strike, with more daring runs and crosses. Defensively he did enough, even if occasional fouls showed his aggressive edge. For us he was among Senegal’s best, and his rating reflects that impact.

Dion Lopy - 7: Lopy’s match was combative, sometimes bordering on reckless. He committed several fouls, but that physical edge helped Senegal control midfield. We saw him win important free kicks in defensive zones, breaking Sudan’s rhythm. His long passing was a genuine weapon, often springing attacks to the flanks. He did give away possession a few times with ambitious decisions. Substituted later, yet his overall contribution to the midfield battle remained significant in our eyes.

El Hadji Malick Diouf - 8.5: From our perspective, Diouf was the highest rated player on the pitch. His crossing from the right side was relentless and high quality, constantly troubling Sudan. He assisted Boulaye Dia’s header expertly from a corner situation, a huge turning point. Beyond that, he created multiple chances and unleashed dangerous shots himself. We noticed his work rate too, tracking back for tackles and interceptions with real commitment. He lost the ball plenty, but that came from taking risks, which we actually appreciated. Overall, Diouf’s all-action display screamed man-of-the-match-level influence.

Forwards

Boulaye Dia - 8: Dia’s performance looked like a classic number nine masterclass in movement. He scored with a towering header into the top corner to make it 2-1. We noticed how often he dragged defenders away, creating space for Ndiaye and Jackson. His link-up play was neat, with one clever assist-type pass for Diouf’s chance. Physically, he bullied Sudan’s centre-backs and won aerial duels decisively. Subbed off later, but by then his impact on the match felt decisive.

Iliman Ndiaye - 8: Ndiaye mixed brilliance with slight wastefulness, but we still rate him highly. He hit the post early after a beautiful move and later provided Mbaye’s goal assist. We noticed his dribbling terrified Sudan defenders, who started fouling him constantly. At times he overcomplicated plays and lost possession in promising areas. Still his creativity and constant movement made Senegal’s attack unpredictable. From our perspective, his risk-taking was vital to unlocking the game’s rhythm.

Nicolas Jackson - 8: Jackson might not have converted all his early chances, yet he remained relentless. He finally scored with a close-range finish for 1-0, settling home nerves. We saw his runs across the line constantly disrupt Sudan’s defensive shape. His link-up with Ndiaye looked sharp, even when shots went wide. He missed a couple of big chances, which slightly tempers the rating. But his energy and goal made him one of Senegal’s standout forwards.

Substitutes

Pape Matar Sarr - 7.5: Even without a listed slug, Sarr’s cameo impressed us. Coming on for Dia, he brought fresh legs and vertical passing. His assist for Pathé Mboup’s late fourth was weighted perfectly into space. We noticed his composure under pressure, rarely forcing passes or panicking. He also helped close down Sudan’s midfield, pressing intelligently from behind the striker. Short appearance, yet he added genuine quality in the closing stages.

Pape Diop - 6.5: Diop’s contribution was more about industry than highlight moments. He committed a foul that led to a yellow, showing slight overexcitement. Despite that, he pressed Sudan’s build-up and helped protect the midfield zone. We noticed him recycling the ball simply, avoiding risky passes in dangerous areas. Offensively he offered limited spark, mostly sitting deeper in possession. Solid but unspectacular, which still had value with Senegal already in control.

Clayton Diandy - 6.5: Diandy came on to steady things and maintain Senegal’s tempo. He won a useful free kick high up the pitch, keeping Sudan pinned back. His body language looked calm, clearly comfortable protecting a lead. We noticed his positioning off the ball, blocking passing lanes quietly. On the ball he kept it simple, rarely misplacing passes. Overall, a competent, professional cameo rather than a headline-grabbing display.

Paul Mendy - 6.5: Mendy replaced Jackson and offered fresh running late on. He won a free kick in added time, which helped waste seconds. We noticed his eagerness, constantly demanding the ball and stretching the defence. He did not get a clear chance to score or assist. Still his movement helped maintain pressure instead of sitting back. A tidy late cameo that contributed to closing the game out.

Pathé Mboup - 7.5: Mboup made exactly the kind of impact every manager dreams of from the bench. He scored Senegal’s fourth with a composed right-footed finish into the corner. We noticed his confidence immediately after coming on, making aggressive runs from the flank. His decision-making in the box looked sharp for someone entering cold. Off the ball he tracked runners, respecting defensive responsibilities too. For us, his brief but decisive appearance fully deserved a strong rating.

Manager

P. Vieira - 7.5: Vieira’s game plan took a while to fully click, but then dominated. He trusted a very attacking structure, with Diouf and Mbaye high and wide. We noticed his smart timing of substitutions, especially introducing Sarr and Mboup. Those changes added energy exactly when Sudan tired and space opened. Defensively Senegal stayed disciplined, aside from the single conceded goal. From our perspective, Vieira orchestrated a convincing tactical win in this qualifier.

Sudan Player Ratings vs Senegal

Have a look at the Sudan national football team player ratings from the Senegal vs Sudan player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Mohamed Mustafa - 4.5: Mustafa endured a very difficult night against relentless Senegal pressure. He conceded four goals and looked shaky on crosses and second balls. We noticed his error leading to a goal seemed to dent his confidence badly. His distribution became increasingly rushed, with many long balls going nowhere useful. He did pull off one or two decent saves, especially from Diouf’s effort. Overall though, he was arguably Sudan’s worst performer in this heavy defeat.

Defenders

Abdelrahman Kuku - 5.5: Kuku struggled to cope with Senegal’s pace and movement wide. He conceded fouls in dangerous areas and rarely dominated his duels. We noticed his clearances were often panicked rather than measured. Some long balls forward were decent but not enough to relieve pressure. Positionally he got dragged out by diagonal runs from Ndiaye and Jackson. A tough outing where he never really looked comfortable defensively.

Mustafa Karshom - 5.5: Karshom had a mixed performance, combining brave defending with costly mistakes. His yellow card for a bad foul summed up his frustration. We noticed his awareness occasionally lagged, leaving spaces for runners behind him. He did attempt a speculative long-range shot that went wide, showing ambition. Interceptions and clearances helped temporarily, but Senegal eventually pulled him apart. Subbed late, his impact was more negative than positive overall.

Ahmed Tabanja - 5.5: Tabanja battled hard but was often a step behind Senegal’s attackers. His yellow card late on highlighted growing desperation in tackles. We saw him lose aerial duels and be pinned deep by crosses. Going forward his passing was limited and rarely broke lines. He delivered a couple of crosses, but they lacked real menace. From our perspective he tried, yet couldn’t match the home side’s intensity.

Yaser Awad Boshara - 6: Awad actually produced some of Sudan’s better defensive moments. He made several clearances and crucial tackles on the flank. We noticed his reading of danger was decent, sliding across to cover spaces. However, he also conceded corners that eventually led to sustained pressure. His long balls forward occasionally found teammates but lacked consistency. In a struggling back line, he was one of the more respectable performers.

Midfielders

Mohamed Abuaagla - 7: Abuaagla was Sudan’s main bright spark despite the heavy loss. He scored the visitors’ only goal with a composed finish, which briefly changed the mood. We noticed his leadership as captain, constantly urging teammates to push higher. Defensively he worked hard, making clearances and interceptions under constant fire. However, he lost many duels and sometimes seemed overwhelmed by Senegal’s pressure. Even so, his goal and effort justify a relatively high rating here.

Walieldin Khidir - 6.5: Khidir had moments of real quality amidst the chaos. His assist for Abuaagla, with a smart pass, stood out nicely. We noticed his composure in possession compared to some teammates. Yet an error leading to a shot reflected his defensive vulnerability. He faded physically as Senegal’s tempo increased, which hurt Sudan’s structure. Overall, a decent but imperfect performance with one big positive contribution.

Al-Gozoli Nooh - 5: Nooh’s night was messy and full of fouls. He conceded multiple free kicks, breaking Sudan’s rhythm and inviting pressure. We noticed his body language grow increasingly frustrated as he lost duel after duel. On the ball he offered little, with poor passing and heavy touches. A late injury-related substitution underlined his difficult evening. From our perspective, he struggled badly against Senegal’s technical midfielders.

Abdelrazig Omer - 5.5: Omer fought hard but lacked real influence on the game’s direction. He engaged in many duels, winning some but losing plenty. We noticed him trying to press high, yet often arriving a fraction late. His passing was simple, rarely progressing Sudan up the pitch. Defensively he made tackles but couldn’t stop Senegal’s waves of attacks. A workmanlike display, yet far from enough at this level.

Salaheldin Adil - 5.5: Adil showed flashes of energy but plenty of sloppiness. He conceded a handball and several fouls, gifting Senegal territory. We noticed moments where he tried to carry the ball forward bravely. However, his touches were inconsistent and he lost possession too often. Substituted in the second half, he looked drained by then. Overall, his impact hovered between spirited and careless without real end product.

Forwards

Mo Eisa - 6: Eisa worked tirelessly up front with very limited service. He managed one shot on target that forced a decent save from Diouf. We noticed his pressing was honest, chasing lost causes across the front line. His link-up play on the right wing was sporadic rather than sustained. As Senegal took over, he became increasingly isolated and frustrated. Decent effort, but he lacked the support needed to truly trouble the hosts.

Substitutes

Musa Kante - 5.5: Kante entered the match trying to add width and energy. He won a late free kick on the left, showing some drive. We noticed his willingness to receive under pressure, even when surrounded. However, he created little clear danger and rarely beat his marker. Defensively he helped, but Senegal were already cruising. His cameo felt more like damage limitation than genuine comeback fuel.

Aamir Abdallah - 5.5: Abdallah replaced Khidir and slotted into a tiring midfield. He tried simple passes and kept shape reasonably well. We noticed he avoided unnecessary fouls, unlike some teammates. Yet he did not change Sudan’s attacking outlook at all. Senegal still dictated tempo while he mostly chased shadows. A quiet performance, understandable given the game state when he entered.

Muataz Hashem - 5.5: Hashem came on as legs were fading everywhere. He offered fresh running and some basic defensive cover. We noticed him dropping deep to help the back four in wide channels. On the ball he kept it safe, rarely taking creative risks. With Senegal already dominant, his influence was marginal. Solid attitude, but no major impact on the scoreline or momentum.

Yasir Mozamil - 5.5: Mozamil tried to stretch Senegal late from the forward line. His touches were heavy at times, perhaps showing nerves. We noticed him making runs in behind but rarely receiving accurate passes. Defensively he tracked back sporadically, not always with intensity. The match situation limited what he could realistically achieve. Overall, another cameo overshadowed by Senegal’s control.

Musab Makeen - 5.5: Makeen replaced Karshom and looked keen but raw. He conceded a late foul, highlighting inexperience under pressure. We noticed his positioning needed refinement as he chased the ball. Some clearances were decent, yet Senegal still found pockets of space. He lacked the authority to stabilise Sudan’s distressed defence. From our perspective, he will learn from such a tough outing.

Manager

J. Appiah - 5.5: Appiah’s plan worked for about forty-five minutes, then unraveled badly. Sudan’s compact shape initially frustrated Senegal and produced a decent equaliser. We noticed, though, that he reacted slowly once the hosts raised tempo. Changes at 71 minutes felt a bit late with momentum already gone. His side’s constant fouling suggested a lack of alternative defensive ideas. Overall, he was outcoached by Vieira in this Africa Cup of Nations Qualifications showdown.