Senegal and Mali booked their places in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-finals on Saturday after contrasting victories in the round of 16.

Senegal overcame an early scare to beat Sudan 3-1 at the Grand Stade de Tanger.

Sudan stunned the defending champions with a seventh-minute opener from Aamir Abdallah, but Pape Gueye struck twice before halftime to restore order for Senegal, and 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye added a third in the 78th minute.

Senegal was without suspended captain Kalidou Koulibaly, but they dominated after Sudan’s brief lead.

In the other Round of 16 match, Mali edged Tunisia 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time.

But Mali equalised five minutes into stoppage time when Lassine Sinayoko converted a penalty after a VAR review for handball.

Neither side could break the deadlock in extra time, and goalkeeper Djigui Diarra emerged as Mali’s hero in the shootout, saving two penalties before El Bilal Touré scored the winner.

Senegal would now face Mali in the first quarter-final encounter on Friday, January 9, 2025, at the Grand Stade de Tanger.