Pape Matar Sarr rated poorly in Senegal’s Mozambique draw

Senegal opened Patrick Vieira’s tenure with a performance that left questions over the midfield’s influence. The result also gave the Lions only a point from their opening match in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, while Abdallah Sima emerged as one of the more active attacking players.

Mozambique and Senegal finished 1-1 in Maputo. Sima and Nicolas Jackson offered movement in attack, but Pape Matar Sarr and Pape Gueye were among the team’s least effective performers. Sarr, used in an advanced midfield role, received a rating of 3/10. He completed all 27 of his passes but struggled to move Senegal forward, with his only notable threat coming from a shot that goalkeeper Ernan stopped. He was substituted after 63 minutes.

Gueye also received 3/10 after failing to impose control in the middle of the pitch. His passing lacked precision and he conceded several fouls, including one on Geny Catamo late in the match. He left the field in the 89th minute.

Lamine Camara was the strongest-rated Senegalese midfielder at 6/10, contributing through interceptions and work under pressure. Captain Moussa Niakhaté earned 6.5/10, while goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf was marked 4/10 after being unable to prevent Geny Catamo’s equaliser. The draw gives Vieira a point to begin his first qualifying campaign with Senegal, but the midfield display remains a clear area for improvement.