Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly has been named the new captain of the Senegal national team, taking over the armband for the first time during the second round of 2021 AFCON qualifiers against Eswatini.
Recognized as one of the key leaders in the squad, Koulibaly’s appointment is a reward for his influence and consistency on and off the pitch. He succeeds Cheikhou Kouyaté, who had held the captaincy for several years.
Since Aliou Cissé became head coach of the Lions, the captaincy has seen several changes. Cheikhou Kouyaté initially wore the armband, followed by Sadio Mané during the 2022 World Cup, and now Koulibaly assumes the leadership role.
This move underscores Cissé’s trust in Koulibaly to guide the team as Senegal continues its campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and other international competitions.
