Senegal’s national coach, Alain Giresse, has revealed the list of players selected for the Senegal-Zambia match scheduled for August 14 in Paris. The 25-player squad includes three players who were previously considered for the French national team: Issa Cissokho, Henri Saivet from Bordeaux, and Mbaye Niang from AC Milan. While Issa Cissokho and Papy Djilabodji’s inclusion in the selection poses no issues, the situation is different for Saivet and Niang.
Henri Saivet, who had previously ruled out the idea of playing for Senegal, surprised everyone by agreeing to join the team. Giresse informed journalists during a press conference that Saivet had given his approval to represent Senegal.
Mbaye Niang’s call-up has stirred controversy as his father, Oumar Niang, emphasized that the player’s approval should involve both parents. Giresse, who was reportedly informed of this complication on the same day as the announcement, expressed his intent to discuss the matter with the player’s father. The situation adds complexity to Giresse’s plans, especially in the absence of Papis Demba Cissé, and he acknowledges the need to address these challenges.
