Senegal will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Mozambique on 25 September, with midfielder Lamine Camara saying he is fully focused on helping the team make a strong start under new head coach Patrick Vieira.
The Lions of Teranga have been preparing in Maputo for their opening Group J fixture, which marks the beginning of Vieira’s tenure as Senegal coach.
Camara, speaking to FSF TV after the team’s second training session in Maputo, said he was determined to make the most of the training camp and be ready for the match.
“I came here 100% focused on contributing more to this team and I hope to be 100% fit on match day,” he said.
The AS Monaco midfielder also welcomed the opportunity to work with Vieira and said he was eager to adapt to the new coach’s approach.
Senegal’s qualifying campaign will see them compete in Group J alongside Mozambique, Ethiopia and Sudan.
The immediate focus, however, is on Mozambique, with Senegal seeking to establish momentum from the opening game and begin the new era on a positive note.
The team has been using its time in Maputo to sharpen preparations ahead of the fixture, with the opening match providing Vieira with his first competitive test since taking charge of the Lions of Teranga.
Senegal are among the teams beginning their journey towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations this week, with the opening round of qualifying matches scheduled across Groups J to L.
All six opening fixtures in the three groups are due to take place on 25 September, with the second round set to follow four days later.
The qualifying campaign will also feature Mali, who face an early test against Cape Verde, while Nigeria begin their Group L campaign without injured striker Victor Osimhen.
Group L carries an additional qualification complication because Tanzania have already secured a place at the finals as one of the three co-hosts, alongside Kenya and Uganda.
As a result, only the highest-ranked team other than Tanzania from Group L will qualify for the tournament.
That situation gives added importance to Nigeria’s matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau as the qualifying campaign gets under way.
For Senegal, though, attention is firmly fixed on the opening Group J encounter with Mozambique.
The Lions have been fine-tuning their preparations in Maputo, with Camara’s comments reflecting the team’s desire to enter the campaign fully prepared.
The midfielder’s commitment will be important as Senegal begin their first qualifying campaign under Vieira, with the opening match offering the new coach an opportunity to establish his approach in competitive football.
Senegal’s objective is to start strongly against Mozambique before turning their attention to the remaining Group J fixtures against Ethiopia and Sudan.
With all six opening matches in Groups J to L scheduled for 25 September, the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign is set to begin with Senegal among the teams starting a new phase of their preparations and competitive journey.
