Senegal will attempt to recover from a disappointing opening draw when they face Ethiopia in Group J of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign at Bahir Dar International Stadium on Tuesday.
Patrick Vieira’s side were held 1-1 by Mozambique last Thursday, while Ethiopia lost 1-0 to Sudan after conceding Mohamed Eisa’s 86th-minute winner at Juba National Stadium. The match will be the countries’ first meeting in 29 years, with Senegal winning their previous encounter 3-0 in June 1997 through two goals from Souleymane Sane and a 68th-minute strike by Omar Traore.
Ethiopia secured their place in the qualifiers by beating Sao Tome and Principe 4-0 on aggregate in the preliminary round. They won the first leg 3-0 on 27 March before completing the tie with a 1-0 victory at Dire Dawa International Stadium four days later.
Yohannes Sahle’s team missed the 2023 and 2025 editions and are targeting their first AFCON qualification since 2021. They finished bottom of Group A at that tournament with one point from three matches.
Senegal have won all three previous meetings between the teams, scoring 10 goals and conceding two. Their first victory came in a 2-1 friendly in November 1963.
The visitors’ draw with Mozambique was Senegal’s first competitive match since the Confederation of African Football withdrew the 2025 AFCON title from them six months ago and awarded it to Morocco. Nicolas Jackson, the Aston Villa forward, put Senegal ahead in the 32nd minute after a well-worked move, but Geny Catamo equalised just before half-time.
That result followed an inconsistent 2026 World Cup campaign in which Senegal lost three of four matches. They were beaten by France and Norway in the group stage before losing 3-2 after extra time to Belgium in the last 16 on 1 July, surrendering a two-goal lead in the final three minutes of normal time.
Senegal are seeking a seventh successive AFCON appearance since missing the 2013 tournament. Their run includes their first title in 2021 against Egypt and a 3-0 victory over hosts Morocco in the 2025 final, later awarded on a walkover after Morocco’s objection to Senegal temporarily leaving the pitch.
Abel Yalew, who scored twice against Sao Tome and Principe in March, is expected to lead Ethiopia’s attack. Abubeker Nura is set to start in goal behind Bereket Samuel, Yared Baye, Samuel Yohannes and Bekele Berhane. Veteran Gatoch Panom, an international since November 2012, should partner Habtamu Tekeste in midfield.
Vieira could retain a similar Senegal line-up, with El Hadji Malick Diouf, Sadibou Sane, Moussa Niakhate and Lamine Sy in defence. Lamine Camara is due to win his 39th cap alongside Pape Gueye and Pape Matar Sarr, while Ibrahim Mbaye and Iliman Ndiaye are options in attack with Jackson.
The prediction is for Senegal to win 3-0.