Vieira admits Senegal must improve after Mozambique draw in AFCON qualifier

[p]The Arsenal legend was taking charge of his first game since he took over to lead the Lions of Teranga. In a game at Estadio Nacional do Zimpeto in Maputo, Vieira was denied his first win after the Mambas [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/mozambique-2aBNiivt/senegal-hOIsJLJr/?mid=OKqq6xU0"]came from behind to settle the tie[/a].[/p][p]Aston Villa forward [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/jackson-nicolas/jXg8d5RJ/"]Nicolas Jackson[/a] gave [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/senegal/hOIsJLJr/"]Senegal[/a] the lead in the 32nd minute, putting the visitors in control as they looked to make a winning start under their new coach.[/p][p][b]However, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mozambique/2aBNiivt/"]Mozambique[/a] never gave up and they responded just before half-time, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/catamo-geny/29eth6dF/"]Geny Catamo[/a] equalising in added time to send the teams into the break level.[/b][/p][p]Speaking after the game, Vieira admitted he had identified the shortcomings from the contest and the mistakes would be rectified before their matchday two of the qualifiers.[/p][h2]‘We've identified shortcomings’[/h2][p][b]“There are obviously regrets. I think we deserved better in the first half. But unfortunately, it proves there are areas for improvement,”[/b] Vieira told reporters as quoted by Wiw Sports.[/p][p]“We have to keep working, because we knew everything wasn’t going to be perfect in this match.”[/p][embed guid="8bac3af7-caae-47e8-b453-f03fa8604347" url="https://x.com/GaindeYi/status/2103500750303469743" social-type="twitter" /][p]Vieira added: [b]“Young players are selected because they have talent. They have shown with their respective clubs that they have the qualities to aspire to play for the national team.[/b][/p][p]“Their advantage is that they are also supported by experienced players who take responsibility in the locker room to guide them. I am satisfied with the atmosphere within the team. I think that was reflected in this first half, with this cohesion and quality of play.[/p][p][b]“We've identified the shortcomings and we’ll address them with hard work. It was important to lay the foundations. In terms of attitude and the players’ performance, we’re on the right track.”[/b][/p][p]On the outcome of the game, Vieira conceded: “There’s disappointment because we always have that desire to win, and we showed, in our play, that we wanted to take this victory.[/p][p][b]“But luck wasn’t on our side. Maybe we’ll convert those chances in the next match.”[/b][/p][p]Vieira was missing the services of forward Sadio Mane, who was not considered alongside experienced goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who confirmed his retirement before the qualifiers got underway.[/p][p]Senegal’s matchday two will be against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ethiopia/4AGUPqC2/"]Ethiopia[/a] on September 29th in Bahir Dar.[/p][p]The West Africans will conclude the upcoming international window with a friendly match against Comoros on October 4th at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.[/p][p][b]In the other Group J fixture for Senegal, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/south-sudan/bBswuetq/"]Sudan[/a] edged out Ethiopia 1-0 to move top.[/b][/p][h2]Aliou Cisse proud of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/angola/rTRqsooo/"]Angola[/a][/h2][p]Meanwhile, Angola coach Aliou Cisse praised his players’ attitude after they settled for a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/angola-rTRqsooo/egypt-bejDn7NN/?mid=MaPrnm2l"]0-0 draw against Egypt[/a] in a Group B fixture.[/p][p][b]“We played a great match against a great team. Frankly, I’m happy to have earned this point, and pleased with the level of our defensive line,”[/b] said the former Senegal coach.[/p][p]“We played the match we wanted to play to achieve our objective... and the most important thing is that we achieved it.”[/p][p]Angola will next face Malawi, who kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 win against South Sudan on Friday.[/p][image alt="Dennis Mabuka" id="009ee08a-c012-41bf-bdae-acba9770ea19" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="d1f5e9e5-ad58-4a0f-9fe2-5cdcfd179a81" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]