Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly sent off in 100th appearance, will miss last 16 game at Africa Cup

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly sent off in 100th appearance, will miss last 16 game at Africa Cup | iNFOnews.ca
Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly is shown a red card during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Benin and Senegal in Tangier, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

TANGIER, Morocco (AP) — Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly will miss his side’s Africa Cup of Nations last 16 match after getting sent off in his 100th appearance for the team.

The 34-year-old Koulibaly, who led Senegal to victory at the 2021 edition of the tournament, was sent off Tuesday in the 71st minute of a 3-0 win over Benin in Group D in Tangier.

Koulibaly was initially shown a yellow card for his foul on Aiyegun Tosin, when he stamped on the back of the Benin forward’s ankle with his boot, but it was upgraded to red after a VAR review.

His absence made little difference as Cherif Ndiaye went on to convert a penalty in stoppage time to seal the win as Senegal won Group D, ensuring it stays in Tangier for its first knockout game on Saturday against a third-place finisher from Groups B, E or F.

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Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly sent off in 100th appearance, will miss last 16 game at Africa Cup | iNFOnews.ca
Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly, left, makes a tackle on Benin’s Aiyegun Tosin during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Benin and Senegal in Tangier, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly sent off in 100th appearance, will miss last 16 game at Africa Cup | iNFOnews.ca
Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly celebrates the second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Benin and Senegal in Tangier, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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