Senegal defender Abdou Diallo fears AFCON setback as recovery stalls

Abdou Diallo faces serious doubts over his Africa Cup of Nations place as he continues to miss training with Al-Duhail after his recent injury.

The Senegal defender, long regarded as one of the national team’s leaders, now holds only a slim chance of joining the 27-man squad for the tournament.

He has not rejoined full team sessions since suffering an injury during the last international window, and concern grows as the competition draws closer.

Reports from Le Quotidien indicate that Senegal coach Pape Thiaw must decide whether he takes the risk of selecting Diallo late, a move some compare to the last-minute choices of previous tournaments.

Many within the squad view Diallo as a steady figure in the dressing room, but sentiment offers no guarantees as deadlines approach.

CAF requires final squad lists by 11 December, leaving Thiaw little room to manoeuvre. Less than a month remains before AFCON begins, and Senegal’s staff already monitor several sensitive cases.

Lamine Camara has returned to the group, but medical updates on Habib Diallo, Assane Diao and Habib Diarra demand close attention.

Every decision influences balance, fitness and tactical plans for a demanding tournament.

Diallo’s situation stands out. He missed Senegal’s World Cup qualifier in Kinshasa against DR Congo and sat out the fixtures against South Sudan and Mauritania.

He also missed November’s friendlies against Brazil and Kenya. The 29-year-old continues rehabilitation following back surgery and has not resumed training, which places his chances of joining the squad in jeopardy.

Senegal begin preparations with uncertainty surrounding several squad members, but Diallo’s ongoing absence raises the most concern as AFCON approaches.