Senegal Vs Malawi

This week, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers enter their third round, and Group L will witness a crucial match as Senegal takes on Malawi. The game will be the opening encounter of a double-header scheduled for Friday night at the Diamniadio Stadium.

Current Standings

Senegal finds itself in a promising position, sitting second in the group standings with four points from two matches, remaining unbeaten thus far. In stark contrast, Malawi languishes at the bottom of the table, desperately seeking their first points in this competition.

Match Preview

Senegal's manager, Aliou Cisse, who has been a pivotal figure for the team, faces a significant week following recent changes within the coaching staff.

Senegal's Strong Start to AFCON Qualification

Senegal, known as the Lions of Teranga, has embarked on a solid journey in their 2025 AFCON qualification campaign. They currently share the same points as group leaders Burkina Faso, following a 1-1 draw in their opening match against them. Despite holding a lead until stoppage time, the draw was a source of disappointment for Senegal. However, the team bounced back successfully in their second match, managing to secure a 1-0 victory against a resilient Burundi side on the road.

The recent results indicate that the reigning AFCON champions have gone six matches without a defeat, amassing four wins and two draws since their exit from the tournament against the Ivory Coast earlier this year. This consistency reflects the quality and resilience that the Senegalese team possesses.

Change in Coaching Staff

However, the national team is undergoing a transition. Just recently, the Senegal Football Federation announced that Aliou Cisse's tenure as head coach has come to an end after nine years in charge. The federation cited that Cisse, a former national team captain, had not met the set objectives, which included winning the 2023 AFCON and advancing to the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

As a result, the Lions of Teranga will approach this crucial qualifier without a permanent head coach. In the interim, Cisse's former assistant, Pape Thiaw, has been appointed to oversee the team until a new manager is officially named. This change could have significant implications for the team’s preparation and performance in the upcoming matches.

Malawi's Struggles in the Qualifiers

On the other side of the pitch, Malawi is striving to reach the AFCON main draw for only the fourth time in their history. However, based on their recent performances, their path seems increasingly difficult, especially if they hope to qualify by winning their remaining group-stage matches.

The Flames, as the Malawi national team is known, have suffered two consecutive defeats in the qualifiers. They began their campaign with a narrow 3-2 loss to Burundi and then faced a more substantial defeat against Burkina Faso, who emerged victorious with a scoreline of 3-1 in their second match.

Current Form and Challenges

Patrick Mabedi’s squad is currently on a troubling three-match losing streak, having lost six of their last seven matches. Their only bright spot in the past year came from a victory over São Tomé e Príncipe. The consistent poor performance has resulted in a sharp decline in their FIFA ranking, dropping seven places in the last month. Malawi now sits at 133rd in the world rankings and 39th among the 53 Confederation of African Football (CAF) member nations.

Historical Context

Historically, Senegal has dominated their encounters against Malawi. The two teams have met three times, and Senegal remains unbeaten against them, with two wins and one draw. The last meeting occurred in January 2022, where they played to a goalless draw.

Conclusion

As the two teams prepare for this significant matchup in the AFCON qualifiers, the stakes are high. Senegal aims to solidify its position in the group while navigating a coaching transition, whereas Malawi desperately seeks to turn their fortunes around and secure their first points in the competition. With both teams eager for a positive outcome, fans can expect an exciting clash on Friday night in Diamniadio.