Sudan began their qualification campaign with a 1-1 draw against Togo in November 2023, as Mohamed Eisa's early penalty was nullified by Kevin Denkey's equalizer just before halftime.
Since that opening match, Sudan have been in excellent form, narrowly defeating DR Congo 1-0 three days later before securing back-to-back wins over Mauritania (2-0) and South Sudan (3-0) in their June 2024 fixtures.
Their strong performances continued into the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, where they finished second in Group F with eight points, courtesy of two wins, two draws, and two losses, earning them a place in the tournament in Morocco.
Additionally, Sudan qualified for the African Nations Championship after defeating Ethiopia 4-1 on aggregate. This came after an initial setback when they lost a penalty shootout to co-hosts Tanzania, following identical 1-0 home victories for both teams.
Under James Kwesi Appiah’s leadership, Sudan enter this match on the back of a goalless draw in a friendly against Oman, extending their unbeaten streak to four matches. They will be keen to maintain this momentum as they aim to stay at the top of the standings.
Meanwhile, Senegal, initially expected to dominate Group B, currently sit in second place with eight points from two wins and two draws under the guidance of Pape Thiaw.
Thiaw took charge in December 2024 after the departure of Aliou Cissé, who had overseen their previous World Cup qualifying games.
Senegal started their campaign in emphatic fashion, thrashing South Sudan 4-0, but were then held to a goalless draw by Togo before heading to the AFCON in Ivory Coast.
At the tournament, they looked formidable in the group stage, securing nine points from three games, but their journey ended in heartbreak as they were eliminated in the round of 16 after a penalty shootout loss to the host nation.
Since that defeat, Senegal have remained unbeaten in 12 consecutive matches across both competitive and friendly fixtures, further solidifying their status as one of Africa’s strongest teams.
The Kings have been showcasing a fast-paced, offensive-minded approach, with DeRozan leading the charge. Monk’s speed and playmaking ability will be crucial in penetrating Milwaukee’s elite defense. Domantas Sabonis will also play a pivotal role, as his rebounding and passing can help unlock the Bucks’ defensive schemes. Sacramento’s supporting cast, including Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray, will need to step up to keep up with Milwaukee’s firepower.
On the other hand, the Bucks continue to rely on their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remains one of the most dominant two-way players in the NBA. His ability to score in the paint, defend multiple positions, and facilitate offense makes him a nightmare matchup for any team. The addition of Damian Lillard has given Milwaukee another elite scorer and playmaker, adding a new dimension to their attack. With Kuzma finding his rhythm and Brook Lopez anchoring the defense, the Bucks pose a significant challenge to Sacramento’s aspirations.
