Ethiopia to host Senegal at Bahir Dar in AFCON 2027 qualifier on September 29

Ethiopia will host Senegal at the Bahir Dar Stadium on September 29 in their second group-stage match of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with Ethiopia having lost 0-1 to Sudan in their opener and Senegal drawing 1-1 with Mozambique in theirs.

Yohannes Sahle’s Ethiopia arrive after an opening defeat and will aim to control the game from the start while improving their final-third delivery. The Walia Ibex side are at home and will look to respond to a negative start to their qualification campaign. Patrick Vieira’s Senegal took the lead against Mozambique but conceded an equaliser in the final moments of the first half and settled for a point.

Abel Yalew, 28, is named to lead Ethiopia’s attack and will be tasked with carrying much of the offensive burden; the preview notes he will have to do a lot of hard work if Ethiopia are to pose a consistent threat. Playing at Bahir Dar gives Ethiopia a home setting, but the side’s recent form increases pressure on their attacking players to produce more decisive contributions.

For Senegal, Nicolas Jackson, 25, was the lone scorer in the 1-1 draw with Mozambique and will be deployed again as a striker. The report describes Jackson as a constant threat to opponent defences and points to his goal in the opener as a key asset for Patrick Vieira’s squad.

All of the selected squad members for both Ethiopia and Senegal are fit to be in action. The squads are listed as: Nura (GK); Bekele, Yohannes, Baye, Samuel; Tafesse, Panom, Tekeste, Gugsa; Yalew, Markneh Yehvann Diouf (GK); Niakhate, Sane, Sy, Malick Diouf; Camara, Gueye, Sarr, Sima; Diao, Jackson.

Despite hosting the match, Ethiopia enter under pressure because of their current run of form, while Senegal have an opportunity to return to winning ways and are given a slight edge based on squad quality and tactics. The preview concludes that the Lions of Teranga are likely to come out on top and secure a victory.

The clash takes place at the Bahir Dar Stadium on September 29. Nigeria coverage: Canal+, Sport 1 Afrique. USA coverage: beIN SPORTS en Español, fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT. For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join the community on Whatsapp & Telegram.