African champions Senegal will warm up for their Africa Cup of Nations title defence next month with a friendly against Niger at the new Stade Abdoulaye-Wade in Dakar on January 8.
The exhibition match against the Mena was announced by the Senegalese Football Federation on Wednesday as preparations intensify for the upcoming continental showpiece in Ivory Coast.
It promises local fans one last opportunity to see the Lions on home soil before Aliou Cisse’s men embark on their mission to retain the crown they won earlier this year.
Cisse is set to unveil his official 23-man squad for the tournament at a press conference on Friday amid intense speculation over his selections.
With less than a month until Senegal’s Group B campaign begins versus debutants Cape Verde, a morale-boosting result over Niger would provide a timely confidence injection.
The forthcoming friendly takes place at the glittering 50,000-capacity Stade Abdoulaye-Wade which only opened in February and has already hosted a 2022 World Cup qualifier.
And with top stars like Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, evergreen captain Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mane expected to feature, a carnival atmosphere lies in store on January 8th as the Lions limber up for the defence of their AFCON title.
