Patrick Vieira’s first night as Senegal coach ended with more questions than celebration. The 1-1 draw away to Mozambique in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying exposed the awkwardness of a difficult pitch and a new-look side still searching for its rhythm.
The 50-year-old, taking charge of the country where he was born, left out most of Senegal’s established leaders for his debut. The result is unlikely to derail the Lions’ qualification hopes, but the trip offered an early reminder that African qualifying campaigns can turn on details beyond the team sheet.
Quick facts
- Senegal drew 1-1 with Mozambique in Vieira’s first match as head coach.
- Nicolas Jackson scored after 32 minutes from Abdallah Sima’s cross.
- Geny Catamo levelled in first-half stoppage time with a strike from outside the box.
- Olympique Lyonnais defender Moussa Niakhaté wore the captain’s armband.
- Senegal travel to Ethiopia on Tuesday after returning through Dakar.
Jackson appeared to have put Senegal on course for a routine result when he turned in a delivery from Sima, the Lens winger, in the 32nd minute. But Mozambique hit back before the interval, Catamo beating the goalkeeper from distance in the second minute of added time.
The second half was more troubling for Vieira. Senegal were repeatedly vulnerable when Mozambique broke forward, with long passes into space causing problems for a group usually built to withstand tougher moments.
Vieira had opted for experimentation rather than relying on the familiar spine of the squad. Pape Gueye was the closest thing to a regular senior figure in the starting side, while Kalidou Koulibaly and 36-year-old Idrissa Gueye did not begin the match.
Édouard Mendy has retired from international football and Sadio Mané was unavailable through injury. In Koulibaly’s absence from the pitch, Vieira handed the armband to Niakhaté, the Lyon defender who has become an important presence for Senegal.
The coach nevertheless found encouragement in the connection between his experienced players and the younger members of the squad. “I was pleased with the atmosphere,” Vieira said. “In the first half, it showed through the team’s balance and the quality of the football.”
He accepted that Senegal should have taken more from the game, while insisting the performance had clarified the work ahead. “There are regrets because, especially from what I saw before the break, the players deserved better,” he said. “But we have also seen areas that need improvement. We knew everything would not be perfect, and we have identified what is missing. We will address it through work.”
Vieira described the opening fixture as a chance to establish a base for his reign. Ethiopia now provide the immediate test, with Senegal expected to respond more sharply after an opening draw that was far from the start they had wanted.
