AFCON 2027: Senegal vs Mozambique preview, team news, head-to-head, predicted lineups and prediction

Patrick Vieira will begin his Senegal tenure with a difficult away assignment against Mozambique on Friday as the Lions of Teranga open their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The former Arsenal midfielder takes charge of Senegal in a competitive fixture for the first time after replacing Pape Thiaw, whose reign ended following the team’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Group J encounter was initially scheduled for Dakar but will instead be played at the Estadio Nacional do Zimpeto in Maputo after the two federations agreed to swap the fixture because Senegal’s Stade Abdoulaye Wade is unavailable.

Vieira arrives with significant expectations after inheriting a side that has established itself as one of Africa’s most consistent teams in recent years.

Senegal qualified for the 2025 AFCON unbeaten, recording five wins and a draw, before winning the tournament. They also secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup and finished their AFCON qualifying campaign with 10 goals scored and only one conceded.

The Lions have also gone 34 matches without defeat in AFCON qualifying, giving Vieira a formidable standard to maintain as he begins his first international management job.

Mane absence headlines Vieira’s first squad

The new coach has retained a strong core of experienced players, with captain Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Pape Matar Sarr among those continuing to provide leadership.

Lamine Camara, Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson are expected to take on greater attacking responsibility, particularly with Sadio Mane missing from the squad.

Mane’s omission has been one of the biggest talking points surrounding Vieira’s first selection. The Al-Nassr forward has been left out because of a physical issue rather than retirement, with Vieira suggesting the veteran could return during the next international window.

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is another notable absentee after announcing his retirement from international football earlier this month. Yehvann Diouf is therefore the leading candidate to become Senegal’s new first-choice goalkeeper.

Vieira has also introduced several new faces, including Malang Sarr, Lamine Sy and Sadibou Sane. Goalkeepers Ngagne Demba Thiam and Mamour Ndiaye have also earned places in the 29-man squad.

Krepin Diatta has been omitted while resolving his club situation, while Antoine Mendy and Habib Diarra are unavailable through injury.

Vieira’s task is therefore not simply to maintain Senegal’s impressive results but also to begin reshaping a squad that is moving into a new phase.

Mozambique arrive with confidence and concerns

Mozambique will be looking to exploit home advantage but enter the contest with momentum working against them.

The Mambas reached the knockout stage of the 2025 AFCON for the first time and recorded their first-ever victory at the tournament when they defeated Gabon 3-2 in the group stage.

Their campaign eventually ended with a 4-0 defeat to Nigeria in the last 16, but the historic run underlined Mozambique’s growing competitiveness.

They have, however, lost their last four matches.

The Mambas suffered defeats to Cameroon and Nigeria in their final two AFCON group games before losing 4-1 to Oman and 1-0 to Indonesia in June friendlies.

Their squad includes established players such as Geny Catamo, Edmilson Dove, Bruno Langa, Ricardo Guimaraes, Manuel Kambala, Alfonso Amade and Faizal Bangal.

Bruno Wilson, Candido Mathe and Jose Guirrugo have also received their first senior call-ups, while Dove and Langa provide experience in defence.

Senegal hold commanding head-to-head record

History offers Mozambique little encouragement ahead of the encounter.

The two nations have met nine times, with Senegal winning seven and drawing two. Mozambique have never defeated the Lions.

Senegal have also won six of the last seven meetings in 90 minutes, with the other ending in defeat on penalties.

That record, combined with Senegal’s superior squad depth and recent competitive form, makes Vieira’s side the clear favourites despite Mozambique having home support.

Senegal’s expected lineup is Yehvann Diouf; Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, M. Diouf; Gueye, Camara, Pape Matar Sarr; Mbaye, Jackson, Ismaila Sarr.

Mozambique could start with Siluane; Jone, Dove, Langa, Nhacussa; Catamo, Guimaraes, Kambala, Amade; Bangal and Lamborino.

For Vieira, the immediate objective is straightforward: start the new era with three points.

Mozambique’s home crowd could make the contest uncomfortable, but Senegal possess greater quality and experience throughout the squad.

The Lions are expected to dominate possession and create the better chances, with Jackson, Ismaila Sarr and the returning core of experienced midfielders capable of deciding the game.

Prediction: Mozambique 0-2 Senegal.