AFCON Qualifiers Shake-Up: Vieira's Senegal Held, Nigeria Escape, Cape Verde Crushed

Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign began with a 1-1 draw against Mozambique on [date], marking the debut of new head coach Patrick Vieira. The result was part of a mixed opening round for several top teams, as Nigeria secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Madagascar, while Cape Verde suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Mali.

Vieira, the former Arsenal and France midfielder, took charge of Senegal following Aliou Cissé's departure after the 2023 AFCON. Despite boasting a star-studded squad including Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly, Senegal struggled to break down a resilient Mozambique side. Nigeria, meanwhile, relied on a late goal to overcome Madagascar, and Cape Verde's loss to Mali leaves them with an uphill battle in their group.

These early results underscore the competitive nature of AFCON qualifying, where no team can afford to underestimate opponents. With the tournament set to be hosted in Morocco in 2025, teams will need to quickly address their weaknesses. Upcoming fixtures will be crucial for Senegal, Nigeria, and Cape Verde as they aim to secure their places in the finals.