Senegal, one of the favorites for the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations, has finalized its 23-man squad under coach Aliou Cissé. After a preliminary list of 25 players, two—midfielder Sidy Sarr (Châteauroux) and striker Santy Ngom (on loan to Nancy from Nantes)—were omitted following the team’s 7-0 friendly win against Murcia. The squad will continue preparations in Alicante, Spain, ahead of a friendly against Nigeria on June 16.
Senegal is drawn in Group C alongside Algeria, Kenya, and Tanzania, and Cissé’s squad reflects a balance of experience and youthful talent, combining domestic performers and top European-based stars.
The 23 Senegalese players for AFCON 2019 are as follows:
Goalkeepers: Adoulaye Diallo (Rennes, France), Alfred Gomis (SPAL, Italy), Édouard Mendy (Reims, France).
Defenders: Salif Sané (Schalke 04, Germany), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, Italy), Pape Abou Cissé (Olympiakos, Greece), Lamine Gassama (Göztepe, Turkey), Moussa Wagué (Barcelona, Spain), Youssouf Sabaly (Bordeaux, France), Saliou Ciss (Valenciennes, France).
Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton, England), Alfred Ndiaye (Malaga, Spain), Badou Ndiaye (Galatasaray, Turkey), Krépin Diatta (Bruges, Belgium), Cheikhou Kouyaté (Crystal Palace, England), Sada Thioub (Nîmes, France), Henri Saivet (Bursaspor, Turkey).
Forwards: Keita Baldé (Inter Milan, Italy), Sadio Mané (Liverpool, England), Moussa Konaté (Amiens, France), Ismaïla Sarr (Rennes, France), Mbaye Niang (Rennes, France), Mbaye Diagne (Galatasaray, Turkey).
With this squad, Senegal aims to challenge for the trophy that has long eluded them. The combination of seasoned internationals like Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mané alongside emerging talents such as Krépin Diatta and Ismaïla Sarr gives the Lions of Teranga a blend of stability, speed, and creativity. Coach Aliou Cissé’s preparation in Spain and the upcoming friendly against Nigeria will be crucial for fine-tuning tactics and building cohesion before the opening match of the tournament. Senegal enters the competition as a confident side, ready to assert themselves in a competitive Group C.
