Sadio Mane-inspired side is currently the in-form African team at the moment and they started the qualifiers in that fashion, easing past Benin 3-1.
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Senegal will be keen to maintain its positive start to the 2023 AFCON qualifiers when they take on Rwanda. The Tuesday night clash at the Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade will see the visitors as the clear favourites. It mainly has to do with the fact that Senegal not only booked their World Cup ticket in March but also won the African Cup of Nations tournament earlier this year. Sadio Mane-inspired side is currently the in-form African team at the moment and they started the qualifiers in that fashion, easing past Benin 3-1. Meanwhile, Rwanda were held to a draw by Mozambique in the opening fixture.
Senegal are currently ranked 20th in the world – the highest among African countries. Prior to the AFCON qualifiers, they were involved in a two-legged tie with Mohamed Salah-inspired Egypt to secure a World Cup ticket. Both sides lost one match and won the other, as the aggregate score was levelled at 1-1 before Senegal prevailed in the penalty shootout. Prior to that in February, Senegal won the AFCON title by once again beating Egypt in the final via penalty shootout. In the ongoing qualifiers, Mane was the star in the opener, scoring an impressive hat-trick against 10-man Benin.Â
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On the other hand, Rwanda are in a poor run of form. In their last nine matches, they have won only once and it was against Guinea during a friendly in January. In this period, they won once, drew twice and lost the remaining six games. They had a chance to register an unlikely win against Mozambique in their previous game after taking the lead through Blaise Nishimwe in the 65th minute. However, Stanley Ratifo immediately scored an equaliser for the opponents to end the game in a draw. Rwanda will be keen to end their poor form on Tuesday but they know that the task at hand against Senegal will be anything but easy.
Not many changes are expected to be seen from both sides with the bulk of the players, who started in the opener are expected to start again on Tuesday. Nishimwe will look to continue his fine run after scoring a goal in the opening match. Up front, it could be either one of Jean Bosco Ruboneka or a 35-year-old forward Meddie Kagere. On the other hand, Senegal are once again expected to name a strong starting lineup, which will be led by Liverpool frontman Sadio Mane. With Pape Sarr, Pape Gueye and Nampalys Mendy in the middle third, the defensive partnership could be seen between Abdou Diallo and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Rwanda possible line-up: Kwizera, Mutsinzi, Manzi, Nirisarike, Serumogo, Bizimana, Rafael, Nishimwe, Imanishimwe, Kagerea, Hakizimana
Senegal possible line-up: E Mendy, Sabaly, Diallo, Koulibaly, Ciss, Sarr, Gueye, N Mendy, Sarr, Dia, Mane
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The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Group L qualification match between Rwanda and Senegal will take place at the Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade and it will kick off at 12:30 am IST on Wednesday.Â
A selection of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will be telecast live on beIN SPORTS.
