Senegal and Mozambique played out a 1:1 draw in their African Nations Cup qualification Group Stage fixture on September 25th. The match, which took place under the tournament's opening round, ended with both sides taking a point from the encounter. It was a result that neither side would have fully expected given their recent form.
Nicolas Jackson gave Senegal the lead in the 32nd minute. The goal came after a period of pressure from the home side, who dominated possession at 66 per cent. To be fair, Mozambique's defence held firm for long stretches before the break.
Geny Catamo equalised for Mozambique just before half-time, in the 45th minute plus two. The away side had limited opportunities — only two shots on target all day — but made them count. And here's the thing about this match: it was decided in three or four moments, not through sustained dominance.
Yellow cards came for Witiness Quembo in the 29th minute, Ricardo Martins Guimarães in the 38th, Lamine Camara in the 62nd, Bruno Langa in the 74th and Pape Gueye in the 78th. The match grew tighter as the halves progressed, with Senegal committing 25 fouls compared to Mozambique's 10.
Substitutions began in the 63rd minute when Pape Matar Sarr came on for Senegal. Mozambique made three changes in quick succession in the 66th minute, bringing on Gildo Vilanculos, Faisal Bangal and Witiness Quembo. Senegal added Assane Diao Diaoune, Nicolas Jackson and Pape Gueye in the final 15 minutes, with Ricardo Martins Guimarães among the last away changes.
The statistics tell a story of one-way traffic that did not translate into a comfortable victory. Senegal registered 100 attacks to Mozambique's 55, with 10 corners against just one. They had 17 shots in total, five on target, while the visitors managed only six shots with two on target. Expected goals would suggest the draw was fair enough — many shots with one goal means chances went begging.
Both teams now sit on one point from their opening Group Stage match. Senegal's recent results have been mixed, including losses to Belgium and Norway, while Mozambique have struggled in their last five fixtures. By then, this result gave them something to build on.
