Senegal’s preparations for their upcoming World Cup qualifying fixtures have been dealt a blow, with uncertainty surrounding the availability of forwards Assane Diao and Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly.
National coach Pape Thiaw is due to name his squad in the coming days, ahead of the match against Sudan in Dakar on 5 September and the clash with DR Congo in Kinshasa three days later.
Diao’s Injury Setback
Assane Diao, who impressed on his international debut during the fifth and sixth rounds of qualifying in March, is still recovering from a foot fracture sustained on 23 April.
The 19-year-old returned to training on 28 July, but his progress has been slower than expected. Despite his determination to rejoin the squad, he is yet to reach full fitness.
Medical staff have indicated that his chances of featuring in either of the September fixtures remain slim, leaving Senegal without one of their most promising young attacking options.
Diao’s potential absence is a particular disappointment given the impact he made earlier this year, when his pace and creativity added a new dimension to Thiaw’s frontline.
His continued rehabilitation highlights the fine margins that can shape international campaigns, especially when fixtures of such magnitude arrive in quick succession.
Sabaly’s Club Standoff
The situation is no less complicated for Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly. After a stellar 2024–25 season with FC Metz, where he scored 15 goals and played a central role in guiding the club back to Ligue 1, the forward earned a deserved place in the national squad. His highlight came in Senegal’s 3–1 victory over England, when he netted the third goal to seal the result.
However, his club future has cast a shadow over his international prospects. Sabaly, a native of Kolda, has made clear his desire to leave Metz, with English Championship side Middlesbrough showing strong interest. But the transfer negotiations have stalled, sparking tensions between player and club.
The dispute intensified after the forward was left out of the matchday squad in Metz’s 3–0 defeat to Lyon, just a week after captaining the side in their opening fixture.
Reports suggest Sabaly has taken strike action in an effort to push through his move, a standoff that could leave him short of match sharpness at a critical moment for the national team.
A Test for Thiaw’s Options
For coach Pape Thiaw, the uncertainty presents a significant challenge. While Senegal possess attacking depth, the loss of both Diao and Sabaly would deprive the team of valuable versatility and firepower.
Thiaw has alternative forwards at his disposal, but neither offers the same blend of youthful promise and proven scoring record that Diao and Sabaly bring.
With World Cup qualification hanging in the balance, the timing could not be more delicate. Both fixtures—against Sudan on home soil and away to DR Congo—are seen as pivotal steps toward securing a place at the tournament.
As the squad announcement approaches, attention will remain fixed on whether either striker can overcome their respective setbacks. For Senegal, the coming days will determine not just the composition of their team sheet, but the strength of their campaign at a defining stage of the qualifiers.
