Senegal has finished top of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group after a tense final round of matches, edging out their closest rivals on goal difference.
The defending champions secured first place despite a 1–1 draw in their final fixture, relying on earlier victories to maintain their advantage. The group standings ended with Senegal and their nearest competitors level on points, but Senegal’s superior goal tally — +4 compared to +3 — proved decisive.
Head coach Aliou Cissé praised the team’s resilience but admitted improvements are needed ahead of the knockout stages.
“We must take our chances earlier and avoid unnecessary pressure. The next round will demand more from us,” he said.
Senegal is expected to face one of the tournament’s dark-horse nations in the Round of 16, with analysts predicting a challenging but winnable path to another AFCON title attempt.
