Seeking to make it two wins from two and extend their lead at the top of Group L, Senegal square off with Rwanda at the Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers on Tuesday.
The Amavubi, who are on a run of eight straight games without a win across all competitions, will be looking to arrest their slump and get their campaign up and running.
Match preview
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Rwanda, whose last appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations came back in 2004, were denied a dream start to their 2023 qualifying games as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Mozambique on Wednesday.
Following an uneventful first half at the FNB Stadium, Blaise Nishimwe put the Amuvabi ahead in the 65th minute but Stanley Ratifo netted two minutes later to force a share of the spoils.
Rwanda have now failed to win any of their last eight games across all competitions, losing six and claiming one draw since a 5-0 victory over Central African Republic in a friendly fixture back in June 2021.
However, Carlos Alos's side are unbeaten in their last five AFCON qualifying games — picking up four draws and one win — stretching back to a 1-0 defeat against Cameroon in 2019.
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Senegal, on the other hand, made light work of Benin as they cruised to a comfortable 3-1 victory when the sides squared off in Friday's group opener.
In a game where Sessi D'Almeida received his marching orders, Liverpool forward Sadio Mane turned in a performance of the highest quality as he scored a hat-trick to hand the hosts all three points.
Prior to that, the Lions of Teranga played out a 1-1 aggregate draw with Egypt before seeing off the Pharaohs on penalties to secure their place in the upcoming World Cup back in March.
Senegal, who clinched their first AFCON title in February, are now unbeaten in 15 of their last 16 games across all competitions, claiming 12 wins and three draws in that time.
Aliou Cisse's men, who are ranked 20th in the latest FIFA world rankings — the highest of all African nations — are unbeaten in each of the last seven AFCON qualifying games, claiming five wins and two draws in that time.
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Team News
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Nishimwe opened his account for Rwanda with his strike on Thursday and the Rayon Sports midfielder should retain his place at the centre of the park.
In attack, Jean Bosco Ruboneka could come in for 35-year-old forward Meddie Kagere, who struggled to make his mark against Mozambique last time out.
Meanwhile, off the back of a dominant display in Friday's group opener against Benin, Cisse could name a similar side on Tuesday, meaning we could see a centre-back pairing of Abdou Diallo and Kalidou Koulibaly, with the trio of Pape Sarr, Nampalys Mendy and Pape Gueye starting in midfield.
With his hat-trick against the Squirrels, Mane now has 32 goals in 90 appearances for Senegal and we expect the Liverpool forward to spearhead the attack once again.
The 30-year-old should be joined at the attacking end of the pitch by Watford's Ismaila Sarr and Villarreal forward Boulaye Dia for a third consecutive game.
Rwanda possible starting lineup:
Kwizera; Mutsinzi, Manzi, Nirisarike; Serumogo, Rafael, Bizimana, Nishimwe, Imanishimwe; Hakizimana, Kagerea
Senegal possible starting lineup:
E Mendy; Sabaly, Diallo, Koulibaly, Ciss; Sarr, N Mendy, P Gueye; Mane, Dia, Sarr
We say: Rwanda 0-2 Senegal
Senegal will be licking their lips as they go up against an opposing side who have failed to win any of their last eight outings. The Lions of Teranga boast several world-class talents down the spine of the team and we predict they will comfortably see off the floundering hosts.
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Top tip
Joshua Ojele
