Issiar Dia on Senegal Radar as Cissé Considers Recall Ahead of CAN 2017 Qualifiers
Senegal winger Issiar Dia could be in line for a surprise return to the national team, two years after his last appearance in the famous green shirt.
The Al Kharaitiyat forward, currently plying his trade in Qatar, has caught the attention of national coach Aliou Cissé, according to reports from Senegalese daily Stades, which cites a source close to the technical staff.
“Aliou is looking for fast, dynamic wingers,” the source told the publication. “Issiar hasn’t been called up in recent times, but that doesn’t mean he’s been ruled out — far from it. The coach wants to speak with the player and his entourage to better understand his current fitness and commitment.”
Now 28, Dia has earned a reputation for his pace and attacking flair, qualities that could complement the explosive talent of Liverpool star Sadio Mané in Senegal’s forward line. According to the source, such a pairing could pose a significant threat to any defence on the continent.
“To say that Issiar is hard-hitting is an understatement,” the source added. “With his acceleration and dribbling combined with Mané’s movement, they could form a formidable duo.”
Although a meeting between coach and player in Qatar may be unlikely due to scheduling constraints, it is believed that the two could link up in Paris at the end of the Qatari domestic season.
Cissé, who has been working to broaden his options ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, is expected to finalise his squad in the coming weeks. Senegal are drawn in Group K alongside Niger, Namibia, and Burundi — a group they are widely tipped to top.
Dia, who previously played in France for clubs including Nancy and Fenerbahçe in Turkey, brings a wealth of experience and could provide valuable depth to Senegal’s attack if recalled.
His potential return would mark another strategic move by Cissé as he continues to reshape the national team with a focus on youth, pace, and tactical versatility.
Whether Dia makes the final squad remains to be seen, but the door to the Lions’ den appears to be open once again.
