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Vieira has been thrust straight into competitive action in qualifiers for the 2027 Afcon with two fixtures in this international window, two more in November and the final two rounds in March 2027.<\/p>\n
His stint in charge was due to begin with a home match against Mozambique on Friday, 25 September but the fixture has been reversed as Dakar is in the midst of preparations for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Of course, I’d have preferred to play the first match here in Dakar but unfortunately, with the federation, we all felt the best decision was to postpone the match and go and play in Mozambique,” Vieira explained.<\/p>\n “Those are difficulties we’re going to accept and deal with.”<\/p>\n Senegal will be without several notable names for the trip to Maputo and the subsequent away game against Ethiopia on 29 September.<\/p>\n Long-time number one Edouard Mendy, 34, has retired from Teranga Lions duty and Vieira said talismanic forward Sadio Mane will be absent with “a bit of a physical issue”.<\/p>\n Despite previous speculation that Mane, also 34, could follow Mendy into retirement, Vieira said the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich man will “surely” be part of his next selection, fitness permitting.<\/p>\n Right-back Krepin Diatta has been left out because he is currently without a club, while forward Ismaila Sarr, who is yet to feature for Crystal Palace this season because of transfer speculation and a groin injury, is also absent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n