CAN 2027 qualifiers: Patrick Vieira held to draw by Mozambique

Patrick Vieira’s first official match as Senegal coach ended without a victory as the Lions drew 1-1 with Mozambique in Maputo on Friday, 25 September. Nicolas Jackson gave Senegal the lead in the 32nd minute, but Geny Catamo equalised in stoppage time before half-time. The result leaves the African champions with one point from the opening match in Group J and places immediate focus on their next fixture against Ethiopia on Tuesday, 29 September.

Senegal started with the intensity expected from a team beginning a new era. The visitors pressed high and spent long periods in Mozambique’s half, with Abdallah Sima providing much of their early threat from the left. Sima had a shot blocked by Wilson in the 15th minute before forcing the Mozambican goalkeeper into a save with a curling effort two minutes later. His influence continued when he supplied Jackson for the opening goal.

Jackson completed a sharp move in the 32nd minute to reward Senegal’s strong start. The goal reflected the pressure applied by the visitors, who continued to push for a second before the interval. Pape Matar Sarr also went close with a volley that required Ernan to dive and turn the ball behind for a corner. Senegal created several set-piece opportunities but could not convert their territorial advantage into a larger lead.

Mozambique had offered little attacking threat for most of the first half, registering three attempts and only one on target. That one effort produced the equaliser. After Malick Diouf cleared a developing danger behind for a corner, the Mambas played the restart quickly. Witi found Catamo, who sent a low shot through a crowded area and past a screened Yehvann Diouf in the second minute of added time. The goal changed the state of the match just before the break and exposed Senegal’s vulnerability to a rare direct attack.

Senegal controlled the ball even more after half-time, reaching 70 per cent possession, but its attacking output fell sharply. The Lions managed only two second-half attempts, with one off target, while Mozambique became more willing to advance. Senegal won a series of corners but struggled to turn them into clear chances. The team’s movement and passing were less convincing than during the opening period, and the final action repeatedly lacked precision.

The midfield also lost influence as the match progressed. Pape Matar Sarr, used in an advanced role, had little impact on the game’s construction, while Pape Gueye was frequently forced into mistakes and could not consistently release his team-mates. Assane Diao was among those unable to make the decisive contribution in the final third. Sima remained willing to attack, but Senegal’s collective rhythm did not recover after the interval.

Vieira made his first change in the 63rd minute by introducing an attacker, then waited until the closing stages for three more substitutions. The late adjustments did not produce a winning goal. Senegal were rarely threatened in sustained spells and the draw was harsh on them in terms of the overall balance, but their dominance was not matched by enough clear opportunities. The performance showed both the potential of the early pressing and the lack of established combinations in a newly organised side.

The Group J table gives Sudan the early advantage after its 1-0 victory over Ethiopia. Sudan therefore leads the section after the first round, while Senegal and Mozambique each have one point and Ethiopia have none. Senegal’s next match comes away to Ethiopia on 29 September, four days after the draw in Maputo. Vieira will have to improve the team’s attacking coordination and response to compact defending as the campaign continues, with the opening result leaving little room for another subdued performance.