Already the author of a fine substitute appearance in Senegal's first match at the Africa Cup of Nations, the young PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye did even better in the second match, saving his team from defeat thanks to another successful performance off the bench.

A big winner over Botswana in the first match of the 2025 AFCON, Senegal came close to disaster this Saturday during its second match of the competition against a DR Congo that managed to secure a draw (1-1).

Senegal dominated the first half but failed to score before finding itself trailing to DR Congo on the hour mark, thanks to a Bakambu goal. It was then Ibrahim Mbaye, sent on by Pape Thiaw, who reversed the match's momentum with his introduction, with one of his runs resulting in a close-range finish by Mane.

The young PSG winger indeed played a big role in this match, and his introduction as soon as his team fell behind is a clear sign of the confidence placed in him by his national team coach, who had certainly noted his very positive impact in the first match. Positioned on the right wing, Mbaye brought all his dynamism and punch to a team that badly needed it after having lost the thread of its game.

Always looking to make things happen, albeit with some wastefulness in possession, the Parisian winger, still barely 17 years old, forced his country's destiny with a slightly fortunate individual play to allow Senegal to equalize through Mane, the PSG player having done all the hard work except for the finish.

On other actions, Mbaye also showed all his qualities and confirmed that he is now clearly the top substitute for Senegal behind the Mane/Jackson/I. Sarr trio, which will be hard to dislodge. But given his current form, anything now seems possible for him.

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