Preview: Malawi vs Senegal – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

All it would take is one more win to secure their place in 2025 African Cup of Nations, Senegal Visit the Bingu National Stadium on Tuesday to compete Malawi.

Malawi, on the other hand, enter the pitch needing a win to maintain their already slim chances of reaching Africa's biggest football tournament.

Game preview

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After struggling to score goals of late, Senegal returned to their usual level of performance on Friday en route to a 4-0 win over Malawi at the Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade.

Replacing the controversial layoffs Aliou CisseBuilding supervisor Pape Thiaw I couldn't have asked for a better start to my managerial life than Strikes Pape Gueye, Sadio Mane, Boulaye Dia And Nicholas Jackson secured a resounding victory.

The Lions of Teranga claimed back-to-back wins in competitive games for the first time since January and have now gone seven games in a row without defeat, recording five wins and two draws.

Senegal were largely defensively frugal during this period, conceding just two goals and keeping an impressive five clean sheets following their recent elimination against Malawi.

Visitors on Tuesday watched as current Group J leaders Burkina Faso secured their AFCON place with a 2-0 win over Burundi today and now have a chance to join their West African compatriots in next year's tournament year to compete.

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Malawi's crushing defeat against Senegal was the latest episode in a downward spiral that began in July 2023 following the team's exit from the COSAFA Cup against Lesotho.

Patrick MabediSince then, the club's men have won just two of their 11 games in all competitions, including defeats in each of their last four appearances in World Cup and AFCON qualifying.

The Flames are yet to pick up a point from their three AFCON qualifiers and are currently bottom of Group L, seven points behind their nearest opponents ahead of Tuesday's clash in Lilongwe.

Malawi, who took part in 1984, 2010 and 2021, have just three AFCON campaigns under their belt and failure to emerge victorious against Senegal would undermine their efforts to add to that tally.

Tuesday's visitors have already conceded 10 goals – the most in qualifying – so any hopes of ending their four-game winless streak against Senegal will depend on better defensive stability.

Africa Cup of Nations Malawi Qualification Form:

Malawi form (all competitions):

Senegal African Cup of Nations qualification form:

Senegal form (all competitions):

Team news

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Nicolas Jackson opened his scoring for Senegal with the fourth of four goals against Malawi and the Chelsea striker will look to pick up where he left off.

midfielder Idrissa Gueye He continues to extend his record of appearances for the away team, having won his 116th cap thanks to a second-half cameo last time out.

Just behind Gueye is captain Sadio Mane, who elsewhere extended his lead at the top of the all-time top scorers list with goal number 45 for his country.

Malawi goalkeeper is back in action for the first time since June Brighton Munthali received his marching orders against Senegal and is not allowed to take part in this case.

Munthali's absence has opened the door for the 27-year-old George Chikooka for returning to the hosts' lineup, which would only be her sixth international match.

Malawi possible starting lineup:
Chikooka; Silwimba, Chembezi, Mwale, Sanudi; Nkhoma, Banda, Njaliwa, Mpinganjira; Chawa, Mwaungulu

Possible starting lineup for Senegal:
Dieng; Jakobs, Niakhate, Koulibaly, Mendy; Gueye, Camara; Sarr, Ndiaye, Mane; Jackson

We say: Malawi – Senegal 0:2

Senegal are heavy favorites to win, which is unsurprising given the wealth of talent on the pitch.

We predict an easy win for the visitors in a largely one-sided affair.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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