New Senegal coach Patrick Vieira has named his first squad for the opening TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers, with Sadio Mané absent and several newcomers handed opportunities.
Vieira has selected 29 players for matches against Mozambique and Ethiopia, followed by a friendly against Comoros, as he begins his tenure after succeeding Pape Thiaw.
Senegal will open their qualifying campaign against Mozambique on 25 September before travelling to face Ethiopia four days later. The Lions of Teranga will then play Comoros in Marseille, France, on 4 October.
Mané is the most prominent absentee from Vieira’s first selection, although the new coach said the forward’s absence is because of a “physical issue” and indicated he could return for the next international window.
Mané absence headlines Vieira’s first selection
Mané has not retired from international football, despite a fake letter circulating after the World Cup claiming he had ended his Senegal career.
His absence nevertheless means Vieira will begin his tenure without one of the most influential players in the country’s football history.
The former France international has retained several senior figures, including captain Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Alassane Gueye and Pape Matar Sarr.
Krépin Diatta is another established player missing, with Vieira saying the 27-year-old needs to resolve his club situation before returning to the national set-up.
“He’s a player I like a lot; he had a very good World Cup,” Vieira said.
Ismaïla Jakobs is also absent despite featuring regularly for Galatasaray at the start of the season, while Pathé Ciss, Abdoulaye Seck and Bamba Dieng have not been selected.
Antoine Mendy and Habib Diarra miss the international window because of injuries.
New faces given opportunity
Vieira’s first squad also provides opportunities for several players hoping to establish themselves with the Lions of Teranga.
Malang Sarr is among the new faces in defence, alongside Lamine Sy and Sadibou Sané.
Ngagne Demba Thiam and Mamour Ndiaye have been included among the goalkeepers, while Issa Soumaré and Pape Moussa Fall are among the other players brought into the group.
Vieira has selected four goalkeepers, with Yehvann Diouf expected to have an increasingly important role following Edouard Mendy’s retirement from international football.
Diouf is joined by Mory Diaw, Thiam and Ndiaye.
The defence retains significant experience through Koulibaly and Moussa Niakhaté, but Vieira has also selected a younger group around them including Nobel Mendy, Mamadou Sarr, Arouna Sanganté and El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Gueye and Sarr provide midfield experience
Vieira has selected six midfielders, with Idrissa Gana Gueye providing considerable international experience.
Pape Alassane Gueye, Lamine Camara, Rassoul Ndiaye, Bara Sapoko Ndiaye and Pape Matar Sarr complete the midfield group.
There are numerous options in attack despite Mané’s absence.
Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr are included alongside Nicolas Jackson and Boulaye Dia, while Ibrahim Mbaye, Abdallah Sima and Assane Diao provide further alternatives.
Issa Soumaré, Mamadou Diakhon and Pape Moussa Fall complete the attacking selection.
Busy start for Vieira
The three-match international window will provide Vieira with an immediate opportunity to begin implementing his ideas following his appointment.
The first two matches carry competitive significance as Senegal begin their attempt to reach the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027, before the Comoros friendly gives Vieira another chance to assess his options.
His first selection points to a combination of continuity and renewal, with experienced figures such as Koulibaly and Gueye retained while a sizeable group of younger and less established players are given opportunities.
The absence of Mané means Vieira will initially have to build his attack without Senegal’s long-time talisman, although the coach’s comments suggest the forward remains part of his plans.
Senegal squad
Goalkeepers: Yehvann Diouf (Nice), Mory Diaw (Al-Shabab), Ngagne Demba Thiam (Monza), Mamour Ndiaye (ASSE).
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Nobel Mendy (Hull City), Malang Sarr (NEOM), El Hadji Malick Diouf (Brentford), Moussa Niakhaté (OL), Mamadou Sarr (Real Sociedad), Sadibou Sané (Monaco), Arouna Sanganté (Sevilla FC), Lamine Sy (Auxerre).
Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Al-Diriyah), Pape Alassane Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Rassoul Ndiaye (Le Havre), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Bayern Munich), Pape Matar Sarr (Juventus).
Forwards: Ibrahim Mbaye (Aston Villa), Iliman Ndiaye (Manchester City), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), Abdallah Sima (Lens), Assane Diao (Como), Nicolas Jackson (Aston Villa), Boulaye Dia (Rennes), Issa Soumaré (Rennes), Mamadou Diakhon (Bruges), Pape Moussa Fall (Metz).
