AFCON qualifiers: Senegal draw first match under Vieira, Nigeria survive Madagascar scare

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Former France star Patrick Vieira debuted as Senegal coach by drawing 1-1 in Mozambique, and Nigeria survived a scare to edge Madagascar 2-1 in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on Friday.

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Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson put controversial 2026 AFCON runners-up Senegal ahead after 32 minutes with a close-range tap off a low cross.

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But Geny Catamo from Portuguese giants Sporting levelled in first-half added time, firing a shot from outside the box through a crowded goalmouth into the far corner of the net.

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Senegal had plenty of second-half possession in Maputo, but could not find a way past a well-organised Mozambican defence.

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Originally scheduled for Senegal, the matchday one fixture in Group J was moved to Maputo as no stadium in the west African nation currently meets international standards.

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Vieira, 50, was a midfielder in the French teams that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship, and also starred for Arsenal.

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But he has had less success as a coach with clubs in the United States, France, England and Italy. He left Genoa last November with the club winless and bottom of Serie A.

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Dakar-born Vieira has inherited from sacked Pape Thiaw a Senegal team in transition during a dramatic year in which they were stripped of the AFCON title and flopped at the World Cup.

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The Teranga Lions temporarily walked off the pitch to protest a penalty awarded in the AFCON final to hosts Morocco, who missed the kick when Senegal returned.

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Senegal won 1-0 after extra time only for the African confederation CAF to later award Morocco a 3-0 victory.

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An appeal by the west Africans against the decision will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on October 8.

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After losing to France and Norway at the World Cup, Senegal hammered Iraq to squeeze into the round of 32, where they fell to Belgium after surrendering a two-goal lead.

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Against Mozambique, Senegal were without recently retired goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and injured striker Sadio Mane.

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Nigeria, shock non-qualifiers for the past two World Cups, fell behind at home to Madagascar when Ehsan Kari scored after 16 minutes in Uyo.

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A Super Eagles side lacking injured star striker Victor Osimhen were then rescued by two international debutants.

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Saudi Arabia-based 20-year-old George Ilenikhena burst through to equalise in first-half added time and substitute Moses Usor from Austrian champions LASK snatched the 65th-minute winner.

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AFP

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