Patrick Vieira announces first Senegal squad

Patrick Vieira has announced his first squad as the new head coach of the Senegal national team ahead of two matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, against Mozambique on September 25 and Ethiopia on September 29, before facing Comoros in a friendly in Marseille on October 4.

The squad list saw the absence of several names, most notably Sadio Mané due to injury, while Édouard Mendy is missing after retiring from international play. Vieira confirmed during the press conference that Mané will return to the national team in the next international break, stating: "Sadio Mané is suffering from a physical issue, which is the reason for his absence, but he will be present at the next gathering."

Meanwhile, the squad saw the inclusion of defender Malang Sarr for the first time in his career with the Senegal national team, as well as Nobel Mendy from Hull City, Sadio Sané from Monaco, and Arouna Sangante from Sevilla. Vieira retained several key players, including captain Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye, along with Pape Gueye, who returns to the national team after his previous absence.

The list is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Yevan Diouf, Mory Diaw, Ngani Demba Tiam, Mamour Ndai.

Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly, Nopel Mendy, Malang Sarr, Haji Malik Diouf, Moussa Niakhaté, Mamadou Sarr, Sidibe Sani, Arouna Sangante, Lamine Sy.

The midfielders include Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Alassane Gueye, Lamine Kamara, Rasoul Ndai, Bara Sabouko Ndai, and Pape Matar Sarr.

Attack: Ibrahim Mbaye, Elye Wahi, Ismaïla Sarr, Abdallah Simah, Assan Diayo, Nicolas Jackson, Boulaye Dia, Issa Soumare, Mamadou Diaw, Baba Moussa Faal.