Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has a wealth of attacking options at his disposal as his side prepares for a crucial World Cup qualifier against Sudan.
Despite missing key forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson, the trio of Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr, and Boulaye Dia offer a formidable frontline.
Adding to the excitement is the potential inclusion of young sensation Assane Diao, whose dynamic playing style could provide an additional boost.
Senegal’s upcoming match against Sudan in Benghazi could prove decisive in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
A victory would strengthen their position at the top of the group and provide a crucial advantage heading into the return leg on home soil.
With the stakes high, midfielder Lamine Camara has underscored the team’s determination to secure three points.
“Everyone knows this is a very important match for us, so we’re taking it seriously.
Our goal is to go to Libya and win against Sudan.
We know it won’t be easy. But we’re going there to win and move up in the standings.
We have to expect all kinds of welcomes because anything can happen.
We’ll be going on a commando mission, but the most important thing is to win the three points,” said Camara.
Senegal’s attacking firepower
Coach Thiaw is likely to rely on the experience and firepower of Mané, Sarr, and Dia, all of whom have been in good form at club level.
Mané continues to impress at Al-Nassr, Sarr has found his rhythm at Crystal Palace, and Dia has been making an impact at Lazio.
However, their performances for the national team have not always been as clinical, with recent goal droughts outside of victories against Malawi (4-0) and Burundi (2-0) highlighting the need for greater attacking efficiency.
Enter Assane Diao. The 19-year-old forward, currently playing for Como in Italy, has been in fine form, netting five goals in 11 appearances.
His versatility allows him to operate across the frontline, though he is most effective on the left flank.
His speed, agility, and finishing ability could provide Senegal with a new dimension in attack.
Alongside Diao, Chérif Ndiaye and Habib Diallo are also viable options to bolster the attacking lineup.
Midfield and defense stability
In midfield, Senegal will likely deploy their trusted double pivot of Pape Matar Sarr and Idrissa Gana Gueye.
The duo has been instrumental in dictating play and providing defensive stability, making them key figures in Thiaw’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Defensively, Senegal is expected to maintain consistency by fielding the reliable central pairing of Kalidou Koulibaly and Moussa Niakhaté, who have developed strong chemistry at the heart of the backline.
Final preparations in Dakar
Senegal’s squad is now fully assembled, with the remaining players arriving in camp ahead of their final preparations.
Training sessions have taken place at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium, with all 26 squad members present.
However, forward Abdallah Sima has been given additional recovery time as he returns from injury.
The team is set to depart Dakar on Thursday evening for Benghazi, where they will conduct their final closed-door training session before Saturday’s match.
With confidence high and key players in form, the Lions of Teranga will aim to take a significant step toward World Cup qualification with a strong performance against Sudan.
