Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Senegal Unveil Squad For Afcon 2024

POSTED ON December 29, 2023 •   Sports      BY Segun Adewole

Defending Africa Cup of Nations champions, Senegal, under the leadership of coach Aliou Cisse, are gearing up for a significant test as they aim to replicate their AFCON success with a squad predominantly composed of players from the Saudi championship. In a departure from his previous stance, Cisse has included a quintet of key players, once instrumental in their 2022 victory, but who have since moved their talents to Saudi Arabia.

Among the notable names in the lineup are Sadio Mane, the talismanic forward, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and centreback Kalidou Koulibaly, who all played crucial roles in Senegal's historic triumph in 2022. The decision to integrate players from the Saudi league marks a strategic shift for Cisse, who had previously refrained from selecting individuals from the region, citing concerns about the league's quality in comparison to the major European championships.

Addressing the media in a press conference on Friday, Cisse acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, "We showed we were capable of winning the title when we had players in the major European championships. Now we also must show we can win it with players who play in Saudi Arabia." The coach's words highlight the team's commitment to proving that success is not solely dependent on the European pedigree of its players.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli/KSA), Seny Dieng (Middlesbrough/ENG), Mory Diaw (Clermont/FRA)

Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal/KSA), Abdou Diallo (Al-Arabi/QAT), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa/ISR), Abdoulaye Niakhate (Troyes/FRA), Moussa Niakhate (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Fode Ballo Toure (Fulham/ENG), Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis/ESP), Ismail Jackobs (Monaco/FRA), Formose Mendy (Lorient/FRA)

Midfielders: Nampalys Mendy (Lens/FRA), Idrissa Gueye (Everton/ENG), Pape Sarr (Tottenham/ENG), Pape Gueye (Marseille/FRA), Krepin Diatta (Monaco/FRA), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano/ESP), Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Lamine Camara (Metz/FRA)

Forwards: Sadio Mane (Al Nassr/KSA), Habibou Diallo (Al Shabab), Iliman Ndiaye (Marseille/FRA), Ismaila Sarr (Marseille/FRA), Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea/ENG), Boulaye Dia (Salernitana/ITA), Abdallah Sima (Rangers/SCO)

READ ALSO
Focus on Glory: Super Eagles B begin closed-camp for CHAN 2025
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 6, 2025 0

Many Nigerian football enthusiasts are currently focused on the Remo Stars Sports Institute located...

READ ALSO
Super Eagles striker move to Hoffenheim for $9.2M
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 3, 2025 0

German Bundesliga club, Hoffenheim, has secured the services of Super Eagles of Nigeria striker, Gif...

READ ALSO
Strange game Chelsea’s coach  reacts to Ipswich defeat
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 31, 2024 0

Chelsea coach, Enzo Maresca, has stated that his side’s 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town on Monday w...

READ ALSO
Millwall hires ex-Stoke manager after firing Neil Harris
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 31, 2024 0

English Club, Millwall, has appointed former Preston North End, Sunderland and Stoke City boss, Alex...

READ ALSO
AC Milan sack coach Paulo Fonseca amid consistent failure
BY Benedicta Bassey December 30, 2024 0

AC Milan sacked coach Paulo Fonseca on Monday following the failure to consistently push for Champio...

READ ALSO
Guardiola eye Ola Aina for Walker’s replacement
BY Benedicta Bassey December 30, 2024 0

Man City manager Pep Guardiola has set his eyes on Nigerian and Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina...

READ ALSO
Valencia employs West Brom’s manager after sacking Ruben Baraja
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 26, 2024 0

Spanish football club giant, Valencia, has appointed the English championship team, West Bromwich Al...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Congratulates Ademola Lookman, Super Falcons on CAF Awards
BY Ebiakuboere England December 17, 2024 0

NIGERIA- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated Ademola Lookman, a Super Eagles forward, on recei...

OUR CHANNELS:

EU assures continue support for Nigeria’s democracy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 30, 2025 0

ABUJA – The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to strengthening...


Tinubu Returns to Nigeria From Tanzania
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 30, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja following his attendance at the Africa Heads of State En...


Obi emphasises focus on Nigerians' welfare, seek coalition for 2027 elections
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 30, 2025 0

Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed his willingness to a coalition ahead of...


FAAN ease traffic congestion, suspends access gate fees at Abuja Airport
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 28, 2025 0

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has announced the suspension of all access gate fees at th...


Obasa challenges removal as Speaker, Denies corruption allegations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 27, 2025 0

The impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has faulted his removal...


Court orders woman to pay N150, 000 for boyfriend emotional distress
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 27, 2025 0

A Magistrate Court in Ilesa, Osun State, has ordered Rhoda Adu to pay N150,000 in damages for not vi...


U.S. halts all foreign aid, exempt Israel, Egypt amid 'America First' Policy Shift
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 30, 2025 0

USA (AFP) - The United States, the largest donor globally, halted nearly all foreign aid on Friday,...


NELFUND reaffirms commitment to affordable education
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 28, 2025 0

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyerr, has reiterat...


Edo report eight Lassa Fever deaths, 56 cases
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 26, 2025 0

Edo State has reported 56 cases of Lassa Fever and eight fatalities from December 30, 2024, to Janua...


Olamide teases fans with new project announcement, After Idan Buruku
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 25, 2025 0

After thrilling fans with "Idan Buruku," an electrifying freestyle that takes listeners back in time...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu