Senegal seek CAN 2027 recovery against Ethiopia

Senegal must respond against Ethiopia to keep their CAN 2027 qualifying campaign on track after a disappointing opening result. The Lions face the Walyas on Tuesday at Bahir Dar Stadium in the second round of Group J, with Sudan currently leading the section and travelling to Maputo to meet Mozambique.

Senegal were held by Mozambique in their first match, while Ethiopia began with defeat against Sudan. The Senegalese squad arrived in the Amhara region on Sunday and will play at an altitude of 1,800 metres. The demanding away setting adds to the need for Patrick Vieira’s side to improve quickly and move closer to the group summit.

Vieira is expected to alter his team after Senegal struggled to maintain their level against Mozambique, particularly after the interval. The coach has identified the weaknesses from that performance and said they must be corrected. Senegal are also without several attacking options: Sadio Mane is injured, while Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye are unavailable. Nicolas Jackson, Abdoulaye Sima and Assane Diao started the previous game without making a significant impact, and the midfield trio of Pape Gueye, Lamine Camara and Pape Matar Sarr found it difficult to set the tempo.

Senegal have won all three previous meetings with Ethiopia. Those victories came at the 1965 Africa Cup of Nations and in both 2018 qualifying matches, including wins by 2-1 and 3-0.