Senegal set for Patrick Vieira’s first match as Mozambique switch highlights new chapter

The Senegal and Mozambique fixture will now be played at the Estadio Nacional do Zimpeto in Maputo on Friday at 13:00 GMT, rather than in Dakar.

The change was agreed by the two football federations after the Me Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio was allocated for preparations for the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The return fixture is scheduled to take place in Senegal in March 2027.

The match will be Patrick Vieira’s first in charge of Senegal. Mohamed Adama Sarr, speaking in an exclusive interview with Africafoot, said he expected the new coach’s squad to show greater energy and a fresh sense of purpose.

Vieira’s opening selection comes without several established figures. Sadio Mane and Krepin Diatta are among those absent, while goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is unavailable after retiring from international football.

Sarr also assessed the significance of the new manager’s first decisions as Senegal begin a new phase under the former France international.

The fixture is the opening round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Senegal go into it with a strong record against Mozambique, having avoided defeat in all seven of their previous official meetings.

The Lions have won six of those matches, with the other ending in a draw.

The encounter in Maputo will therefore give Vieira his first competitive opportunity to work with Senegal’s players, while Mozambique will attempt to end a run of results that has left them without a victory against their opponents in their seven official meetings.

Odds listed by 1xbet place Senegal at 1.14 to win. A draw is priced at 6.00, while Mozambique are listed at 14.00.