Patrick Vieira Announces Senegal Squad for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Without Sadio Mané

Senegal national team head coach Patrick Vieira announced on Thursday, November 5, his official squad for the upcoming double-header against Sudan, part of Matchdays 3 and 4 of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027) qualifiers, with the absence of all-time leading scorer Sadio Mané being the list's biggest surprise.

Reasons Behind Sadio Mané's Absence from the Camp

Patrick Vieira confirmed during a press conference that Sadio Mané's absence from this international window is primarily due to family commitments, explaining: “During this training camp period, he has a family commitment. He wants to be beside his family, and that is something I fully understand.” He continued: “We agreed together that he should stay close to his family because that was his primary wish.”

The absences were not limited to Mané, as the list also omitted midfield stalwart Idrissa Gana Gueye, while Vieira renewed his confidence in several familiar names such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Pape Gueye, and Lamine Camara.

Notable Ligue 1 Presence and Fresh Faces

The squad marked the return of Watford player Krépin Diatta, alongside a maiden call-up for Italian side Cagliari's forward Paul Mendy to bolster the Teranga Lions' attack.

The selection is garnering widespread attention among diaspora communities and football followers in France, given the heavy representation of French club players across various positions, reflecting the close sporting ties between the two nations.

Full Squad List:

Goalkeepers: Yehvann Diouf (Nice), Mory Diaw (Al-Shabab), Mamour Ndiaye (Saint-Étienne).

Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Moussa Niakhaté (Olympique Lyonnais), Malang Sarr (Neom), El Hadji Malick Diouf (Brentford), Mamadou Sarr (Real Sociedad), Noble Mendy (Hull City), Sadibou Sané (Monaco), Krépin Diatta (Watford), Lamine Sy (Auxerre).

Midfielders: Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Pape Demba Diop (Strasbourg), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham/Juventus), Dion Lopy (Al-Ittihad).

Forwards: Iliman Ndiaye (Manchester City), Nicolas Jackson (Aston Villa), Clayton Diandy (Diriyah), Pathé Mboup (Stade Brestois), Boulaye Dia (Rennes), Issa Soumaré (Rennes), Ibrahim Mbaye (Aston Villa), Paul Mendy (Cagliari).