Senegal’s Krépin Diatta will not feature in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Malawi, with reports confirming his absence is due to personal reasons. The AS Monaco forward was initially named in the squad for the match but opted out to remain with his family during a significant personal event.
According to sources close to the player, Diatta’s decision to withdraw stems from his desire to be present for the birth of his child.
Rumors have circulated that the Senegalese international’s wife is expected to give birth in the coming days, and the 24-year-old forward does not want to miss the momentous occasion.
Despite being a key player for the Lions of Teranga, Diatta prioritized family matters over national duty, which is a stance that has been widely respected by his fans and teammates.
Although he did not make an official public statement about the matter, Senegalese media have speculated that his choice to stay with his family was a personal one, unrelated to any fitness or form concerns.
Diatta, who has been a regular for AS Monaco and an important part of Senegal’s national team setup, has impressed with his performances in Ligue 1 this season.
His contributions have often been crucial, and his absence will be a blow to Senegal’s attacking options as they prepare to face Malawi in a critical qualifying match.
However, the Lions of Teranga boast a wealth of talent, and head coach Aliou Cissé will likely have several strong alternatives to fill the gap left by the forward.
For Senegal, this AFCON qualifier is crucial as they aim to secure their place in the 2025 tournament.
They currently lead their qualifying group and will be looking to extend that dominance with a win against Malawi.
Diatta’s absence, while significant, is not expected to derail Senegal’s chances, but his presence will surely be missed.
The national team and supporters alike will undoubtedly wish Diatta well as he prepares to welcome a new addition to his family.
His return to the squad for future fixtures will be eagerly anticipated, with the hope that he can continue to play a key role in Senegal’s ongoing football success.
