Vieira’s Senegal held as Nigeria recover in AFCON qualifying

Senegal were held to a 1-1 draw by Mozambique in Patrick Vieira’s first match as coach as the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign began with mixed results across the continent.

The Group J fixture was played in Maputo after being moved from Senegal because, according to the report, no stadium in the country currently meets international standards.

Nicolas Jackson put Senegal ahead after 32 minutes with a close-range finish. Mozambique responded in first-half added time when Geny Catamo equalised.

Senegal controlled much of the second half but could not break through a well-organised Mozambique defence. The visitors were also without recently retired goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and injured forward Sadio Mane, while Kalilou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye began on the bench.

Nigeria recover after early setback

Nigeria came from behind to defeat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo despite playing without injured striker Victor Osimhen.

Ehsan Kari gave Madagascar the lead in the 16th minute. Nigeria levelled in first-half added time through George Ilenikhena before substitute Moses Usor completed the turnaround with a 65th-minute winner.

The result gave Nigeria a winning start after Madagascar had taken the early advantage.

Mali defeat Cape Verde

Mali defeated Cape Verde 3-1 in Bamako, where a reported crowd of 50,000 watched the match.

Martial Tia put Mali ahead within five minutes, but Cape Verde equalised when a free-kick from Sidny Cabral took a deflection. Mali restored their lead before half-time through Dorgeles Nene.

Nene later added another goal after Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha lost possession outside his penalty area, leaving an unguarded net.

Egypt were held to a goalless draw at home by Angola, while Morocco defeated Gabon and Algeria beat Zambia. Scores for the Morocco-Gabon and Algeria-Zambia matches were not provided in the report.

Senegal appeal scheduled for October

Vieira, who was born in Dakar, took charge of Senegal after Pape Thiaw was dismissed. The former France international and Arsenal player left Genoa last November after the Serie A club had remained winless and bottom of the table, according to the report.

Senegal are also awaiting a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport on October 8. The case concerns the team’s appeal against the Confederation of African Football’s decision to award Morocco a 3-0 victory in the previous Africa Cup of Nations final. Senegal had won that match 1-0 after extra time before CAF later changed the result.