Surprise packets Sudan survived a battering from star-stacked Senegal to force a 0-0 draw on Saturday, and remain top of African Group B in 2026 World Cup qualifying. Forced to stage home matches in Libyan city Benghazi because of the Sudanese civil war that has raged since April 2023, Sudan have 11 points halfway through the 10-round competition. Democratic Republic of Congo lie second with 10 points, Senegal have nine, Togo four, and Mauritania and South Sudan two each. The nine group winners in Africa qualify automatically for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
There could be a 10th qualifier if the winners of an African mini-tournament involving the four best-ranked runners-up finish among the top two in inter-continental play-offs.
Senegal, seeking a third straight appearance at the global showpiece, dominated possession and had 19 goal attempts, but just four on target.
There was no respite for the Sudanese, who also had to defend 11 corners as Senegal sought maximum points and first place.
On the rare occasions Sudan broke into the Senegal half, they proved more accurate, getting three of seven goal attempts on target, including two near misses.
Captain Ramadan Agab was among three Sudanese yellow-carded in three minutes during the second half, while star Senegal forward Sadio Mane was booked later.
The Sudanese were the happier side at full-time having taken a point off a team that started with eight players from top European leagues and three from the Saudi Pro League.
Fleeing
Sudan used seven players from their leading clubs, Al Hilal and Al Merrikh. Three are based in Libya and Abdelrahman Kuku is with an Australian second-tier side.
Fleeing a war that has claimed tens of thousands of
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