Patrick Vieira had hoped to start his adventure with a victory. In the end, he will have to settle for a draw. For his first match in charge of Senegal, the new head coach saw the Lions concede a 1-1 draw against Mozambique, on Friday in Maputo, in the opening match of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. A difficult start, especially given how the match unfolded.
Initial dominance not converted
Senegal had nevertheless started the match on the right foot. The Lions dominated the first half and Nicolas Jackson capitalised on this superiority in the 32nd minute, perfectly set up by Abdallah Sima. The new head coach then seemed to be getting the expected scenario.
But Mozambique struck at the worst possible moment. In stoppage time of the first half, Geny Catamo equalised with a strike from outside the box. Senegal had just let slip a lead they should have preserved until half-time.
A second half lacking control
After the break, the problem changed in nature. The Lions had less offensive impact and never managed to definitively regain control of the match. The result therefore leaves a feeling of frustration: Vieira wanted to start by imposing his team's style, but he leaves with only one point.
This first outing obviously does not yet allow for a judgement on the coach's project. But it already highlights a priority task: turning dominance into control and efficiency over the full 90 minutes.
Vieira himself had warned before the match that humility, seriousness and concentration would be needed against a team he considered difficult to handle.
The next fixture, against Ethiopia, will already give Senegal the chance to put things right.
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