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Senegal draw first match under Vieira and Nigeria survive scare / Photo: © AFP
Senegal draw first match under Vieira and Nigeria survive scare
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.
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.
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.
Senegal had plenty of second-half possession in Maputo, but could not find a way past a well-organised Mozambican defence.
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.
Vieira, 50, was a midfielder in the French teams that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship, and also starred for Arsenal.
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.
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.
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.
Senegal won 1-0 after extra time only for the African confederation CAF to later award Morocco a 3-0 victory.
An appeal by the west Africans against the decision will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on October 8.
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.
Against Mozambique, Senegal were without recently retired goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and injured striker Sadio Mane.
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.
A Super Eagles side lacking injured star striker Victor Osimhen were then rescued by two international debutants.
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.
Z.Phillips--SFF
