Senegal begin their qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations against Mozambique in Maputo on Friday, with Patrick Vieira set to take charge of the Lions for the first time.
The match was originally due to be played in Senegal, but has been moved to the Estadio Nacional do Zimpeto because the Stade Abdoulaye Wade is unavailable ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The two federations agreed to reverse the order of the fixtures, meaning Senegal will start the qualifying campaign away from home.
Mozambique v Senegal takes place on Friday, 25 September 2026 at the Estadio Nacional do Zimpeto. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 local time, 13:00 GMT, 15:00 in France and 14:00 in Senegal.
Viewers in France can watch the match on beIN Sports Max 4, with streaming also available through the broadcaster’s platforms. RTS will show the game in Senegal, while Canal+ will broadcast it elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. The match will be available on beIN Sports Mena in North Africa.
Vieira takes charge amid Senegal changes
The focus will be on Vieira, who was appointed in August and officially presented a month later. The former France international will oversee his first game in charge of his country of birth as Senegal look to move on from a disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign, which ended in the round of 32 after three defeats in four matches.
Vieira has made several changes to the squad for the start of his tenure. Sadio Mane is unavailable because of a physical problem, while Edouard Mendy has retired from international football. Krepin Diatta was also left out after being without a club when the squad was announced.
The new manager can still call on a group of established players, including Kalidou Koulibaly, who could have a reduced role, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr, Lamine Camara, Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson.
There are also several new faces in the squad, notably Malang Sarr, Sadibou Sane and Pape Moussa Fall.
Mozambique will be managed by Chiquinho Conde, who has selected 24 players for the opening part of the campaign. Bruno Wilson, Candido Mathe and Jose Guirrugo are the three newcomers in the squad.
The Mambas will have home advantage in both of their first two fixtures. After facing Senegal, they host Sudan in Maputo on 29 September.
Senegal appear the stronger side on paper, but the trip will provide an immediate assessment of Vieira’s influence following the World Cup disappointment and the change in leadership. The two teams last met in qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, when Senegal won 5-1 in Dakar before claiming a 1-0 victory in Maputo.