Senegal began their qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-1 draw against Mozambique on Friday, September 25, in Maputo. Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring before Geny Catamo equalized just before halftime, marking Patrick Vieira’s first match on the Lions’ bench.
This draw leaves an unfinished feeling for Senegal, the favourite of Group J. The Lions controlled the ball for a long time but failed to regain the lead after the Mozambican equaliser. The result is consistently reported by RFI, Seneweb, and Foot Mercato.
Jackson launches the Lions, Catamo responds
Patrick Vieira had entrusted the captain’s armband to Moussa Niakhaté, while Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gana Gueye started on the bench. In this reshuffled lineup, Senegal found the breakthrough in the 32nd minute. Served by Abdallah Sima, Nicolas Jackson finished the move to give the visitors the lead.
Mozambique, however, did not allow Senegal to head to the locker rooms in the lead. In the added time of the first half, Geny Catamo equalized with a long-range strike in the 45th+2 minute. A goal that rewarded the Mambas’ resilience and changed the course of the match.
A first meeting without victory for Vieira
After the break, the Lions pressed on without managing to turn their possession into clear-cut chances. Vieira tried to revive his team with several changes, including the introductions of Ibrahim Mbaye, Idrissa Gana Gueye, and Boulaye Dia. Mozambique remained compact and held on to their point until the final whistle.
Senegal will have to respond in their second match. According to the schedule presented by CAF, the Lions will travel to Ethiopia on September 29, while Mozambique will host Sudan in the other Group J match.
