Patrick Vieira faces immediate test as Senegal begin Afcon qualifying

Newly appointed Senegal head coach Patrick Vieira will begin his tenure with two away fixtures as the Teranga Lions launch their qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal were initially scheduled to host Mozambique in Dakar on Friday, 25 September, but the fixture has been reversed because the capital is preparing to host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Vieira’s first competitive match in charge will therefore take place in Maputo, before Senegal travel to face Ethiopia on 29 September.

“Of course, I’d have preferred to play the first match here in Dakar but unfortunately, with the federation, we all felt the best decision was to postpone the match and go and play in Mozambique,” Vieira said.

“Those are difficulties we’re going to accept and deal with.”

The former France international has been handed a demanding start to his reign, with Senegal having two more qualifying fixtures in November before completing the final two rounds in March 2027.

Vieira will also have to cope with several notable absences for his opening matches.

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has retired from international football at the age of 34, bringing an end to his long spell as Senegal’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Captain and talisman Sadio Mane will also miss the upcoming fixtures because of what Vieira described as “a bit of a physical issue”.

Mane, 34, had been linked with international retirement following Mendy’s decision, but Vieira indicated that the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward remains part of his plans.

The new coach said Mane will “surely” feature in his next squad if he is fit.

Senegal will also be without right-back Krepin Diatta, who has been left out while he remains without a club.

Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr is another notable absentee. The 28-year-old has yet to play for the Premier League club this season amid transfer speculation and a groin injury.

Vieira, who has previously managed New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace and Strasbourg, was appointed after the departure of Pape Thiaw.

He takes charge of a Senegal side seeking to return to the top of African football after a difficult period.

The 2022 Africa Cup of Nations winners will begin their latest qualifying campaign away from home, with Vieira hoping to make an immediate impact despite the disruption surrounding his first fixtures.

After Mozambique, Senegal will face Ethiopia on 29 September before their remaining qualifying matches in November and March 2027.

Vieira’s immediate task is to navigate the opening fixtures successfully while beginning to shape a new-look Senegal side around the experienced players who remain available to him.