Senegal held by Sudan in World Cup qualifying
Sudan's impressive run in qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup continued as a nation affected by civil war held Senegal to a 0-0 draw on neutral turf.
Sadio Mane came closest to a winner for the visitors late on in Benina, Libya, but saw an attempted chip saved by Sudan keeper Mohamed Mostafa before his follow-up effort was blocked by a defender on the line.
Mostafa then pulled off a stunning low stop to keep out a header from Cherif Ndiaye.
Sudan could have taken all three points themselves as Walieldin Khedr sent a shot flashing past the post earlier in the second half.
The Falcons of Jediane sit a point clear of DR Congo at the top of Group B halfway through the African campaign, with Senegal a point further behind.
Only the group winners are assured of a place at the expanded 48-team World Cup finals next year.
The four best-placed sides from across the nine groups will enter play-offs for a spot at an intercontinental tournament which will provide the final qualifiers.
Elsewhere in Group B, Togo and Mauritania drew 2-2 in an entertaining contest in Lome.
Those four sides are all back in action on Tuesday when Sudan host South Sudan, Senegal welcome Togo and DR Congo travel to Mauritania.
The final four group fixtures will be split across September and October.
Sudan tame Teranga Lions
Almost two years on from the start of the civil war, and with the country's top two domestic clubs now playing in Mauritania, Sudan coach James Kwesi Appiah has got supporters dreaming of reaching the World Cup finals for the first time.
In the nine-month hiatus since the last qualifying fixtures the Sudanese had remarkably booked a place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations - eliminating four-time continental champions Ghana along the way.
But, returning to their bid to reach the United States, Mexico and Canada, Sudan almost made a disastrous start as goalkeeper Mustafa missed a clearing kick within the first 30 seconds.
However, he managed to recover and scramble the loose ball behind with Boulaye Dia set to pounce and slot into an empty net.
The hosts were not overawed by a side ranked as the second best in Africa, and 96 places above them, and Aboubaker Eisa missed a chance to slot Sudan in front in the 20th minute before Dia sent a header off target.
After the break Sudan midfielder Adbel Raouf tested Edouard Mendy with a low strike before having appeals for a penalty waved away as he challenged the keeper for the rebound.
Mane had sent an overhead kick narrowly wide before the former Liverpool forward was denied twice with 10 minutes remaining.
The West Africans remain unbeaten after five games in Group B but, with only two wins, have work to do to reach a third successive World Cup finals.
- 'I told Sudan players to feel they are Messi or Ronaldo'
- Will recapture of presidential palace change course of Sudan war?
Togo and Mauritania share points
Earlier on Saturday, Mauritania scored their first goals of the campaign as they secured a draw in Togo.
Thibault Klidje headed the hosts ahead in Lome in the fourth minute, and Mauritania came close to an equaliser when Aboubakary Koita hit the right-hand upright 10 minutes before the break.
The game sparked into life in the second half as the visitors scored twice in the space of four minutes to turn the game on its head.
First Koita levelled with a fine curing shot across goal and then Abdallahi Mahmoud was presented with a simple tap-in at the back post from Sidi Bouna Amar's low cross.
Kevin Denkey dragged Togo level in the 69th minute when he dispossessed Lamine Ba in the box and rifled in a low shot.
After that both sides had chances to win it as Mauritania striker Pape Yade struck a post after capitalising on an error from Sparrowhawks goalkeeper Malcolm Barcoa and then Togo substitute Kwame Mawuena narrowly missed the target with a header.
-
Cameroon held to shock draw by Eswatini in World Cup qualifying
Minnows Eswatini hold Cameroon to a 0-0 draw in African qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, while Tunisia continue their unbeaten start.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Nigeria seek World Cup redemption, Sudan eye history
Underperforming Nigeria and disadvantaged Sudan share the spotlight ahead of two 2026 World Cup qualifying matchdays in Africa from Wednesday. Seeded fifth in Group B, Sudan occupy first place ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Japan first nation to qualify for 2026 World Cup
Japan become the first nation to book their place in the 2026 World Cup through qualifying after defeating Bahrain 2-0 in Saitama.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Who has qualified for World Cup 2026? Japan joins United States, Mexico and Canada with qualifying underway
Japan became the first national team to qualify through the World Cup qualifiersCBS Sports - 2d -
CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifying schedule, results, table: Argentina top; Brazil rebound
Reigning World Cup champions Argentina join Brazil, eight others in race for 2026 World Cup berthsYahoo Sports - 3d -
Oman snatch World Cup qualifying draw late on in South Korea
South Korea conceded a goal with 10 minutes left as Oman stunned Son Heung-min's side to snatch a precious 1-1 away draw in World Cup qualifying on Thursday.South Korea still lead Asian qualifying ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Oceania (OFC) 2026 World Cup qualifying latest: Schedule, results, table, how it works
The World Cup is guaranteed a contestant from Oceania for the first time since 2010 as 2026 World Cup qualifying is off and running.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Injured Neymar out of Brazil World Cup qualifiers
Brazil star Neymar was on Friday ruled out of upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina after a thigh injury scuppered his recall to the national team.With Brazil down in ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Argentina without Messi wins at Uruguay, needs a draw with Brazil to qualify for 2026 World Cup
Argentina didn’t miss Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez and other key players as it beat Uruguay away 1-0 in their South American World Cup qualifying matchABC News - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
What they said: Derik Queen, Maryland and Colorado State react after buzzer beater
Here's a look at what Maryland and Colorado State coaches and players said after Derik Queen's buzzer-beater to send Terrapins to Sweet 16.Yahoo Sports - 29m -
Monday's Time Schedule
Yahoo Sports - 34m -
Monday's Time Schedule
Yahoo Sports - 34m -
J.J. Quinerly adds her perspective on the coaching changes with WVU men's hoops team
Mar. 23—CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The West Virginia men's basketball team will soon have its fourth head coach in as many years. That's just one more than J.J. Quinerly has had in her time with the ...Yahoo Sports - 40m -
Sam White, Logan Sauve injured, as Arizona takes series against No. 24 WVU
Mar. 23—MORGANTOWN — The 24th-ranked WVU baseball team fell to Arizona 11-4 on Sunday inside Kendrick Family Ballpark, losing its first series of the season along the way. It was far from the ...Yahoo Sports - 41m
More in Sports
-
Ex-Yankees OF Gardner's son, Miller, dies at 14
Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of Brett Gardner, has died, the former Yankees outfielder and his wife, Jessica, announced Sunday.ESPN - 20m -
Sources: Texas nearing deal with Xavier's Miller
Less than a week after appearing in the First Four of the NCAA tournament, where it lost to Xavier, Texas on Sunday informed coach Rodney Terry that he has been fired, with athletic director Chris ...ESPN - 20m -
Injured Butler wills UK 'underdogs' to Sweet 16
Lamont Butler battled through multiple injuries Sunday to help Kentucky reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019 and in Mark Pope's first season as coach.ESPN - 20m -
2-seed TCU women roll into school's 1st Sweet 16
No. 2 seed TCU punched the program's first ticket to the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16 by defeating 7-seed Louisville 85-70.ESPN - 20m -
Poch: U.S. has 'time' to fix issues before World Cup
After suffering two defeats in the Concacaf Nations League, United States manager Mauricio Pochettino insisted that his side still has enough time to turn things around before the 2026 World Cup.ESPN - 20m