Patrick Vieira leaves out Sadio Mane as Senegal squad gets eight new faces

Patrick Vieira has named eight uncapped players in his first Senegal squad, while Sadio Mane and seven other members of the 2026 World Cup squad have been omitted for the opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The new Senegal manager, officially presented on Friday, has selected 29 players for three fixtures. The Lions travel to Mozambique on 25 September before playing Ethiopia on 29 September, then face Comoros in a friendly in Marseille on 4 October.

Two of the newcomers are goalkeepers. Ngagne Demba Thiam, 28, has been rewarded for his work at Monza after several years in Italy and had been expected to feature in Vieira’s plans following Edouard Mendy’s international retirement. He is joined by Mamour Ndiaye, 20, of AS Saint-Etienne, who moved to the club this summer from Sarpsborg and helped win the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Malang Sarr, 27, will also receive his first Senegal call-up. The Neom centre-back, who previously played for Lens and represented France at Under-21 level, missed the 2026 World Cup despite his club form before joining the Saudi Arabian side this summer.

Defenders Sadibou Sane and Arouna Sangante complete the changes at the back. Sane, 22, has been selected after making a strong start at AS Monaco, whom he joined from Metz during the transfer window. Sangante, 24, plays for FC Sevilla.

Vieira has also brought in AJ Auxerre right-back Lamine Sy, 24. Born in France, Sy has been a regular in Ligue 1 for Auxerre and offers a new option in a position affected by several absences.

The two new forwards are Issa Soumare and Pape Moussa Fall. Soumare, 25, joined Stade Rennais this summer after three seasons with Le Havre. Fall, 22, has made a notable start to the campaign with FC Metz and already has five goals in Ligue 2.

Eight players from Senegal’s 2026 World Cup squad are missing: Abdoulaye Seck, Ismail Jakobs, Krepin Diatta, who is without a club, injured Antoine Mendy, Pathe Ciss, injured Habib Diarra, Bamba Dieng and Mane.

Vieira said Mane had a “physical problem” after speaking to the two-time African Ballon d’Or winner by telephone. He added that he expected to rely on him in future. Idrissa Gana Gueye and Kalidou Koulibaly remain in the squad.

Edouard Mendy and Cherif Ndiaye are absent after recently announcing their international retirements.

Five players have returned: Nobel Mendy, who has impressed with Hull City in the Premier League this season, Rassoul Ndiaye, Abdallah Sima, Boulaye Dia and Mamadou Diakhon.

Vieira has retained a sizeable core of the World Cup group, including Yehvann Diouf, Mory Diaw, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Moussa Niakhate, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Lamine Camara, Bara Sapoko Ndiaye, Pape Matar Sarr, Ibrahim Mbaye, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr, Assane Diao and Nicolas Jackson.