Patrick Vieira names first Senegal squad without Sadio Mane

Patrick Vieira has announced his first Senegal squad, selecting 29 players for the opening qualifiers for the CAN 2027. Sadio Mane, Krepin Diatta and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy are among the notable absentees.

Senegal will begin their qualifying campaign against Mozambique and Ethiopia in the first two rounds of matches.

Former Senegal international Mohamed Adama Sarr analysed Vieira’s selection in an exclusive interview with Africafoot, describing it as a blend of established players and new faces.

Experienced players joined by newcomers

Key members of the squad include Idrissa Gana Gueye, Moussa Niakhate, Kalidou Koulibaly, Pape Gueye, Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson.

Vieira has also introduced several players to the Senegal squad, including Malang Sarr, Arouna Sangante, Issa Soumare, Lamine Sy, Sadibou Sane, Rassoul Ndiaye and Pape Moussa Fall.

Sarr said the new arrivals had been brought in to complement the senior figures already established in the team.

Several players who were part of Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations-winning group will not feature in the opening qualifiers against Mozambique and Ethiopia. They include Sadio Mane, Antoine Mendy and Krepin Diatta, who is without a club.

Former goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is also absent after retiring.

Senegal squad for CAN 2027 qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Yehvann Diouf (OGC Nice/FRA), Mamour Ndiaye (AS Saint-Etienne/FRA), Mory Diaw (Al-Shabab/SAU), Ngagne Demba Thiam (AC Monza/IT)

Defenders: El Hadji Malick Diouf (Brentford/ENG), Nobel Mendy (Hull City/ENG), Arouna Sangante (Seville FC/ESP), Mamadou Sarr (Real Sociedad/ESP), Moussa Niakhate (Lyon/FRA), Sadibou Sane (AS Monaco/FRA), Lamine Sy (Auxerre/FRA), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal/SAU), Malang Sarr (NEOM/SAU)

Midfielders: Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Bayern Munich/GER), Pape Matar Sarr (Juventus/ITA), Pape Gueye (Villarreal/ESP), Lamine Camara (AS Monaco/FRA), Rassoul Ndiaye (Le Havre/FRA), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Al Diriyah/SAU)

Forwards: Iliman Ndiaye (Manchester City/ENG), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace/ENG), Nicolas Jackson (Aston Villa/ENG), Ibrahim Mbaye (Aston Villa/ENG), Assane Diao (Come/ITA), Abdallah Sima (RC Lens/FRA), Boulaye Dia (Stade Rennais/FRA), Issa Soumare (Stade Rennais/FRA), Mamadou Diakhon (Club Bruges/BEL), Pape Moussa Fall (FC Metz/FRA)