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)

0
READ ALSO
Abia Football Fest To Hunt Future Champions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 10, 2025 0

All is set for the inaugural edition of the Abia State Football Fest (ASF), a grassroots talent-hunt...

READ ALSO
Lens Signs World Cup Champion from Udinese
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 8, 2025 0

French World Cup champion Florian Thauvin made his return to Ligue 1 on Friday as Lens announced the...

READ ALSO
Chelsea Midfielder Moves to Everton for £24m ahead of EPL kickoff
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 6, 2025 0

Everton, the Merseyside club, has finalized the acquisition of English midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-H...

READ ALSO
Aston Villa Thrashes AS Roma 4-0 in Pre-Season Showcase
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 6, 2025 0

Aston Villa delivered an impressive performance in their pre-season match on Wednesday, overwhelming...

READ ALSO
Sesko's Transfer Sparks Competition Between United and Newcastle
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 5, 2025 0

Both Manchester United and Newcastle United have submitted competing offers for sought-after RB Leip...

READ ALSO
Barcelona Dominates Daegu FC with 5-0 Victory in Asia Tour Finale
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

Barcelona concluded their tour of Asia with a resounding victory, outclassing South Korean club Daeg...

READ ALSO
Tottenham Hotspur Faces Captaincy Void as Son Heung-min Announces Exit
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 2, 2025 0

Tottenham Hotspur, the reigning champions of the UEFA Europa League, will be missing their South Kor...

READ ALSO
Team Nigeria Shines at Inaugural African School Games as Osaretin Grace Clinches Gold in Cycling
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 2, 2025 0

Team Nigeria continues to assert its dominance on the continental stage, delivering a sterling perfo...

OUR CHANNELS:

Police Arrest 63-Year-Old Woman for Allegedly Abducting and Selling One-Year-Old Boy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

The Anambra State Police Command has taken a 63-year-old woman, Ngozi Muotuanya, into custody follow...


68 Missing After Indian Catastrophic Flooding
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 12, 2025 0

Indian authorities report that at least 68 individuals remain missing a week after a devastating sur...


FG Champions Cocoa Industry for Economic Growth and Environmental Sustainability
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 12, 2025 0

The Federal Government has reiterated its dedication to enhancing Nigeria’s cocoa sector while...


Civil Society Group Demands Investigation into Comfort Emmanson's Treatment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 12, 2025 0

A Civil Society Organisation known as The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable...


Panic in ADC as EFCC Targets Coalition Leaders amid Allegations of Fraud
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 12, 2025 0

Panic has set in within the African Democratic Congress as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commiss...


Obi Critiques Nigerian Justice System Amid Double Standards in Court Treatment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 12, 2025 0

The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has criticized the court appe...


FG Launches Investigation into In-Flight Incident
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 11, 2025 0

The Federal Government has initiated a thorough investigation into the release of inappropriate foot...


Iran and Iraq Entered into Security Agreement
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 12, 2025 0

The leader of Iran's top security organization, Ali Larijani, is set to visit Iraq on Monday before...


Davido Gifts Wife Chioma Stunning Iced-Out Richard Mille as Wedding Surprise
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 11, 2025 0

Afrobeat sensation David Adeleke, better known as Davido, has presented his wife Chioma with a lavis...


NiMet Forecasts 3 Days Thunderstorms and Rainfall Across Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 12, 2025 0

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecasted thunderstorms and rainfall for the period...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu