Senegal national football team will play neighbouring rivals Gambia national football team in a March friendly at Diamniadio, after confirming the opponent for a home match during the upcoming international window.
The fixture answers Senegal’s search for a suitable sparring partner on home soil and sets up a regional derby that carries both sporting and symbolic significance.
The Lions will use the occasion to reconnect with supporters while maintaining competitive rhythm during the FIFA break.
Details of the match were outlined by Ndiambé Diop, president of the organising commission of the Senegalese Football Federation, in an interview with the daily newspaper Source A.
He confirmed the game will take place at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio.
Beyond its competitive value, the encounter is intended to strengthen the bond between the national team and its fan base.
Officials see the match as an opportunity to celebrate recent continental success and sustain the public enthusiasm surrounding the squad, particularly during a period described as one of renewal and consolidation.
The federation has also finalised a second friendly during the same international window, this time against Peru national football team.
That match is scheduled to be played in Paris and is expected to provide a contrasting test against South American opposition.
According to Diop, the Paris fixture will give the technical staff a broader platform to evaluate the squad in a different tactical context.
Facing a team from another footballing tradition is viewed as a useful benchmark as preparations continue.
The March international window runs from 23 to 31 March, with official match dates for both friendlies due to be announced shortly.
Together, the two games are designed to balance fan engagement at home with high-level preparation abroad, as Senegal continue shaping their squad during the international break.
