Sudan’s impressive run in qualifying for the 2026 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.

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.

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.