Patrick Vieira rejects favourite tag ahead of Senegal’s clash with Mozambique

The Lions of Teranga face Mozambique on Friday 25 September in Maputo, in the opening match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

At a press conference ahead of the match, Patrick Vieira refused to consider his team as favourites going into the fixture. Whilst acknowledging that his squad possesses the qualities needed to rise to the challenge, the Senegal manager urged his players to remain focused and humble.

Patrick Vieira nevertheless expressed his satisfaction with the work his squad have put in since the start of the training camp.

“Favourite is a word that outsiders generally use, but I don’t like to use it. We expect to face a team that’s difficult to play against.

It will take a great deal of humility and determination to win this match. If we manage to play at the level I know we’re capable of, we’ll have a chance. But we’ll have to prove it on the pitch.

Based on what I’ve seen, particularly the enjoyment the players have taken in training, and their focus on the various aspects and the finer details, I have no doubt about their physical and tactical ability to take on Mozambique.”