Patrick Vieira took his first steps into international management on Friday, as his new-look Senegal side began their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign with a disjointed 1-1 draw against Mozambique in Maputo.
There aren't too many teams more in need of a strong start to qualifying than Africa's champions Senegal, who are still reeling after a chaotic and disastrous FIFA World Cup, which led to seismic changes in the federation and the team.
Head coach Pape Thiaw lost his job - only six months after winning the AFCON in controversial circumstances - and there's intense scrutiny on FA President Abdoulaye Fall after an apparent breakdown in alignment with the sports ministry.
He's hoping -- as are Senegal fans -- that Arsenal legend Vieira can be the remedy.
On one hand, no one can doubt the 50-year-old's playing pedigree; 107 caps for France, victories in both the World Cup and the European Championship, a key member of Arsenal's Invincibles, silverware with AC Milan, Internazionale, and Manchester City.
However, Vieira must demonstrate that a brief and underwhelming managerial career to date - stints in the United States, England, France and Italy - is not indicative of a deeper inability to adapt to life as a coach.
His Senegalese roots -- he was born in Dakar to a Senegalese father and Cape Verde -- should ensure some measure of connection with his new employers, although Vieira's pre-match press conference, in which he struggled to correctly name some of his players, did not augur well.
Vieira referred to the absent Sadio Mané as 'Manio Sane' and - more curiously -- misnaming Bayern Munich wonderkid Bara Sapoko Ndiaye, despite naming him in his first squad.
So Vieira, like Senegal, will have been hoping for a strong start to the qualification campaign, although the manager's suggestion that his appointment was an 'absolute dream' were tested as they were held 1-1 in Maputo on Friday.
Nicolas Jackson touched Senegal into a 32nd-minute lead from close range -- a massive boost for the striker, who has endured a slow start to life at Aston Villa after signing from Chelsea for £65m during the offseason -- following a fine assist from Abdallah Sima down the Teranga Lions' left.
Jackson's technique was lovely for the goal, bringing the ball down with one foot, duping the two Mozambique defenders marking him, then swivelling to beat the onrushing keeper with his outstretched right.
It certainly wasn't the poise or composure of a player who's scored just once in five domestic games since arriving at Villa Park.
The influence of Sima, operating down the left -- where Mane would typically have been found, was also pertinent.
The 25-year-old is now rediscovering his momentum at Lens after failing to breakthrough at Brighton, despite some encouraging moments across four seasons of seemingly endless loan deals, and had been restored to the national side by Vieira after being overlooked for Senegal's last two major tournaments, drifting out of the international scene in the process.
He was one of several notable additions to the starting XI as the former Arsenal captain attempted to change the scene after the World Cup debacle.
Indeed, of Vieira's first side, only four -- El Hadji Malick Diouf, Moussa Niakhaté, Pape Gueye and Jackson -- were established starters under Thiaw, with midfielders Lamine Camara and Pape Matar Sarr regularly used by the new man's predecessor, but predominantly from the bench during the recent cycle.
Yehvann Diouf was promoted by Vieira ahead of Mory Diaw -- whose error contributed to the World Cup capitulation against Belgium -- as Édouard Mendy's successor following his international retirement, while defenders Sadibou Sané and Lamine Sy were making their debuts after encouraging starts to the season with AS Monaco and Auxerre respectively.
Assane Diao, who played just nine minutes at the World Cup, was named as a starter with Ismaïla Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye both absent.
Notably, Vieira opted to use veterans Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gana Gueye on the bench, opting to put his faith in some of the more youthful names in the national pool.
Perhaps the most notable name in Vieira's starting XI was Pape Gueye, who announced his international retirement -- 'while the current technical team are in place' -- after the World Cup, despite having scored the winner in the AFCON final in January.
Thiaw's exit has opened the door to an immediate U-turn, although this was not his finest hour in a Senegal shirt, as he appeared sluggish, rusty, and lacking his typical dynamism in midfield.
Ultimately, Senegal weren't able to capitalise on their early advantage, with Geny Catamo firing home a speculative low effort from outside the box in first-half stoppage time after being let unmarked from a corner.
Diouf arguably should have done better, although Vieira will surely be more concerned about how his team were unable to put more pressure on the hosts as they went in search of a second-half equaliser, despite the 63rd-minute introduction of Ibrahim Mbaye.
Nonetheless, for a problematic away bout, considering the much-changed squad, the new manager in place, and the high-profile absentees, this was an acceptable opening bow for Vieira, even if it represents a low-key start to this new Teranga Lions cycle.
The fluidity between players will come, the understanding of Vieira's methods, new faces replacing the old will establish themselves, the pitch hopefully won't be that bouncy again, and in time, Africa's champions will give a better account of themselves.
For now, however, they've done the most important thing; turn the page on these last chaotic six months, change the air around the side, and can begin to look forward as they seek to return to their standing as one of Africa's most imposing, and best organised, international teams.
