Sadio Mane omitted as Patrick Vieira names first Senegal squad

Patrick Vieira has announced his first Senegal squad since taking charge, with Sadio Mane left out of the group for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers because of physical problems.

Senegal will begin their qualification campaign against Mozambique on Friday, 25 September, before facing Ethiopia in the second round on Tuesday, 29 September.

The squad includes captain Kalidou Koulibaly and a number of players based in Europe and Saudi Arabia, but there is no place for Al-Nassr forward Mane.

Senegal squad

Goalkeepers: Mory Diaw (Al-Shabab), Yehvann Diouf (Nice), Ngane Demba Thiam (Monza), Mamour Ndiaye (Saint-Etienne).

Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Moussa Niakhate (Olympique Lyonnais), Malang Sarr (NEOM), El Hadji Malick Diouf (Brentford), Mamadou Sarr (Real Sociedad), Nohbel Mendy (Hull City), Sadibou Sane (Monaco), Arona Sangante (Sevilla), Lamine Sy (Auxerre).

Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Al-Diriyah), Pape Hassan Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Rassoul Ndiaye (Le Havre), Bara Sabouko Ndiaye (Bayern Munich), Pape Matar Sarr (Juventus).

Forwards: Ibrahim Mbaye (Aston Villa), Iliman Ndiaye (Manchester City), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), Abdallah Sima (Lens), Nicolas Jackson (Aston Villa), Boulaye Dia (Rennes), Issa Soumare (Rennes), Mamadou Diakhon (Club Brugge), Pape Moussa Fall (Metz).

Vieira was appointed Senegal manager after Malick Daf was dismissed following the team’s exit from the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Senegal were eliminated by Belgium in the round of 32, losing 3-2 after the match went to extra time.

The fixtures against Mozambique and Ethiopia will provide Vieira with his first competitive matches in charge as Senegal begin their bid to reach the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.