Vieira says Senegal will apply intensity against Ethiopia in 2027 AFCON qualifier

[p]After drawing 1-1 against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mozambique/2aBNiivt/"]Mozambique[/a] in their matchday one, which was the first game [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vieira-patrick/AaLVdEGK/"]Vieira[/a] took charge of, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/ethiopia-4AGUPqC2/senegal-hOIsJLJr/?mid=hfQ8McEs"]the Lions of Teranga will take on the Walia Ibex at Bahir Dar International Stadium on Tuesday[/a].[/p][p]Against Mozambique, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/senegal/hOIsJLJr/"]Senegal[/a] dominated proceedings but were not able to capitalise on the many chances created. Vieira has conceded Senegal will anticipate a complicated game against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ethiopia/4AGUPqC2/"]Ethiopia.[/a][/p][p]Playing away from home, Ethiopia lost 1-0 against Sudan in their matchday one.[/p][h2]‘There are no easy matches’[/h2][p]“From here, we’ll concentrate on the essentials, which is the game itself,” Vieira told reporters, as quoted by Wiw Sport.[/p][p][b]“What can we do better than what we did against Mozambique? There were some positive aspects in that first half. We’ll continue to play with more intensity and capitalise on the chances we’ve created.[/b][/p][p]“It’s important for us to play a good match, a complete match.”[/p][p]Vieira added: [b]“We expect a complicated, difficult match. There are no easy matches at this level. It is important for us to play well, to create chances and to score goals. Our objective is to take the three points.[/b][/p][p]“The biggest satisfaction is that we’re going to play in a real stadium, with a real pitch. And that’s an advantage. It’s something really positive.”[/p][embed guid="395a59c1-7f8a-4124-a304-ff2df8dc9fde" url="https://x.com/GaindeYi/status/2104321718315532519" social-type="twitter" /][p]Asked whether the long journey to Maputo will affect his squad, Vieira replied:[b] “From that perspective, there’s no problem. The team will be competitive in terms of tactics, physical condition, and mental strength.[/b][/p][p]“It has been a long journey, yes, very long, but there is no easy journey.”[/p][h2]Malang Sarr set for Senegal debut[/h2][p]Saudi Pro League club Neom defender [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sarr-malang/zZ3dzMX8/"]Malang Sarr[/a], who is lined up for his Senegal debut against the Walia Ibex, said: [b]“I’m simply happy. It’s something everyone was waiting for. I was waiting for it too.[/b][/p][p]“We don’t look back. The goal is to be here and give my best every day for my teammates and to integrate myself into the group as smoothly as possible.”[/p][image alt="Malang Sarr discusses readiness to start for Senegal." id="c687c812-0837-4d37-a57b-af53372dd84d" credit-line="Fédération Sénégalaise de Football ." guid="6c9a8d09-7c60-4263-9b0e-1e0aaa1ab480" original-width="960" original-height="1200" /][p][b]Ahead of his debut for the Lions of Teranga, Sarr had represented France at various youth levels and in September 2016, he was named captain of the 20-man France U-18 squad by manager Bernard Diomede for the 2016 Limoges Tournament.[/b][/p][p]In 2018, Sarr confirmed that he had been approached by the Senegalese Football Federation to represent the nation but stated that he still had hopes of playing for France[/p][p][b]Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sarr announced his availability for Senegal; however, he was not selected for the team's squad for the tournament.[/b][/p][p]The arrival of Vieira saw Sarr called up for the 2027 AFCON qualification matches against Mozambique and Ethiopia, respectively, and the friendly match against Comoros on October 4th.[/p][p][b]Against the Mambas, Sarr was named in the matchday squad as a substitute, but he remained on the bench and did not make an appearance.[/b][/p][p]After playing against Ethiopia, Senegal will face Comoros in an international friendly on October 4th at Stade Velodrome in Marseille, France, to conclude their FIFA break fixtures.[/p][image alt="Dennis Mabuka" id="009ee08a-c012-41bf-bdae-acba9770ea19" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="723f92cc-b17e-49e7-992f-60639be797d1" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]