Senegal suffer Habib Diarra injury setback ahead of November AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Senegal have suffered a major injury setback ahead of their upcoming double-header against Sudan in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with midfielder Habib Diarra expected to miss both encounters.

The Sunderland midfielder picked up a thigh injury during a training session with the Premier League side, raising concerns over his availability for the Teranga Lions’ next international assignments.

Diarra’s injury was confirmed by Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris, who disclosed that the Senegalese international had suffered a muscular problem during training, although the exact severity was yet to be established.

Speaking about the midfielder’s condition, Le Bris expressed disappointment over the setback while admitting that the club was still awaiting further medical assessments.

“So, Habib, it’s a shame because he got a muscle injury during the training session. We don’t know yet the severity of it,” the Sunderland manager said.

Initial assessments suggest that the 21-year-old could spend approximately three weeks on the sidelines, a recovery timeline that makes his participation in Senegal’s upcoming fixtures increasingly unlikely.

Diarra is therefore expected to miss the two meetings against Sudan, scheduled for November 12 and 16, as Senegal continue their push for qualification to the 2027 AFCON tournament.

His potential absence will represent a significant blow to the Teranga Lions, considering the midfielder’s importance in the team’s engine room and his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively.

Senegal head coach Patrick Vieira will now have to consider alternative options in midfield as he prepares his squad for the two crucial encounters.

The West African giants will be determined to maintain their momentum in the qualifying campaign despite the anticipated absence of the Sunderland midfielder.

Diarra, meanwhile, will focus on recovering from the injury and returning to action as quickly as possible, with Sunderland also monitoring his rehabilitation.