Senegal-Mozambique AFCON qualifier moved to Maputo

Senegal will not welcome Mozambique in Dakar during the September international window, leaving the Lions without a home meeting with their supporters. Their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture will instead be played in Maputo, changing both the venue and the order of the ties.

The match remains scheduled for 25 September at 15:00 local time, or 13:00 GMT, at Maputo’s National Zimpeto Stadium. The change followed a request from the Senegalese Football Federation after the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium was deemed unavailable because of the regional Olympic Games. The fixture had also been announced for Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar. Mozambique coach Chiquinho Condé accepted the adjustment, which was then approved by CAF.

Mozambique will now host Senegal on the opening matchday, while the return fixture is set for Dakar on matchday five. The revised schedule adds to Senegal’s travel demands: after Maputo, the team is due to visit Addis Ababa to face Ethiopia before travelling to France for a friendly against Comoros on 4 October.

A Libyan refereeing team has been appointed for the qualifier. Mutaz Ibrahim will take charge, with Alayat Munji and Basm Elnaser as assistants and Elmabrouk Muhammad as fourth official. Togo’s Kodjo Dobou will serve as match commissioner.