They need just one more win to confirm their place in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal visit Bingu National Stadium on Tuesday to hold off the horns Malawi.

Malawi, meanwhile, takes to the field needing a win to keep alive their already slim chances of making it to Africa’s biggest football showpiece.

Match example

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After struggling to score goals of late, Senegal returned to their usual standard at the top end of the pitch on their way to a 4-0 defeat by Malawi at Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade on Friday.

To replace the controversially dismissed people Aliou Cisseagent Dad Thiaw Couldn’t have asked for a better start to life as a manager Dad Gueye, Sadio Mane, Boulaye Dia And Nicholas Jackson ensured a resounding victory.

The Lions of Teranga have recorded consecutive wins in competitive matches for the first time since January and are now without defeat in seven matches, recording five wins and two stalemates.

Senegal have been frugal defensively in that time, scoring just two goals and an impressive five clean sheets after their most recent shutout against Malawi.

Tuesday’s visitors saw Burkina Faso – current leaders of Group J – book their AFCON spot with a 2-0 win over Burundi earlier today and now have the chance to join their compatriots in the hat for the tournament next year.

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

Patrick Mabedi‘s men have won just two of their 11 games in all competitions since then, including defeats in each of their most recent four appearances in the World Cup and AFCON qualifying duties.

The Flames are yet to gain a point from their three AFCON qualifiers and currently sit bottom of Group L, seven points behind their next opponents heading into Tuesday’s match in Lilongwe.

Competing in 1984, 2010 and 2021, Malawi has just three AFCON campaigns to their name, and failure to come out on top against Senegal would spell the end of their ambitions to increase that tally.

Tuesday’s visitors have already conceded 10 goals – the most in the qualifiers – so hopes of ending their four-match winless run against Senegal will depend on better defensive stability.

Qualification form Malawi Africa Cup of Nations:

Malawi form (all competitions):

Senegal Africa Cup of Nations Qualification format:

Senegal form (all competitions):

Team news

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

Midfielder Idrissa Gueye continues to add to his record of appearances for the away side after earning his 116th cap thanks to a second-half cameo last time out.

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

The Malawi goalkeeper is back in action for the first time since June Brighton Munthali received his marching orders against Senegal and is not eligible for a role in this.

Munthali’s absence has opened the door for the 27-year-old George Chikooka to return to the hosts’ lineup for what would be just a sixth international appearance.

Possible starting line-up Malawi:
Chikooka; Silwimba, Chembezi, Mwale, Sanudi; Nkhoma, Banda, Njaliwa, Mpinganjira; Chawa, Mwaungulu

Senegal possible starting line-up:
Dieng; Jakobs, Niakhate, Koulibaly, Mendy; Gueye, Camara; Sarr, Ndiaye, Mane; Jackson

We say: Malawi 0-2 Senegal

Senegal are firm favorites to dominate here, which is not surprising given their abundance of talent on the pitch.

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

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, click here.

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