Mozambique-Senegal (Friday at 1 p.m.): The Lions open a new chapter in Maputo under Vieira

Senegal kicks off its 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign this Friday in Maputo. For this first match in Group J, the Lions face Mozambique at 1 p.m. (GMT). This encounter marks Patrick Vieira's debut as head coach of the Senegalese national team. The Lions will thus begin a new chapter after a dramatic 2026 World Cup campaign.

In Maputo, they will not only be playing their first qualifying match, but they will also be opening a new chapter in their history, under the guidance of a new coach who is expected to gradually make his mark and build a team in his own image.

Against Mozambique, Senegal will need to quickly find their footing in the context of the start of a new cycle. Patrick Vieira, aware of the difficulties of such a start, nevertheless refuses to dwell on his team's status as favorites.

“We will be facing a very organized team. Being favorites is a term that people from the outside generally use. Personally, it’s not a word that I particularly appreciate or like to use. I think that every match has its difficulties and that this one will be difficult for us,” said the Franco-Senegalese coach at a press conference.

The coach particularly emphasized the mindset his players must display to make a successful start to the competition. "We must demonstrate our qualities with great humility, seriousness, and concentration to overcome this team," he continued.

For Vieira, the start of the match will be crucial. "It will be important for us to start the game with intensity. We have talent, determination, and a lot of humility."

Senegal will need to combine ambition and composure in this first match under their new coach. The Lions possess individual and collective qualities that they will need to translate onto the pitch against a Mozambican team expected to be well-organized and difficult to break down.

“If we manage to play at the level we know we can play at, we will have a good chance of achieving a good result. But all of this, we have to demonstrate on the pitch,” concluded Patrick Vieira.

In Maputo, Senegal's new chapter begins with the first challenge of successfully navigating this entry into the game and launching its AFCON-2027 qualifying campaign with a positive dynamic.