Senegal dealt fresh blow as winger Iliman Ndiaye ruled out of friendlies due to injury

Senegal national team head coach Pape Thiaw has been hit with another major setback after Iliman Ndiaye was ruled out of the upcoming international friendlies against Peru and Gambia.

The Everton FC forward had initially been included in the squad for the March international break but will now miss both fixtures scheduled for 28 and 31 March. Reports from Senegalese media indicate that Ndiaye is currently struggling with discomfort in his foot, forcing his withdrawal at the last minute.

His absence compounds an already difficult situation for the Lions of Teranga, who are also without talisman Sadio Mané. The double setback deprives Thiaw of two of his most influential attacking options as he looks to fine-tune his squad.

The timing of Ndiaye’s withdrawal is particularly significant, coming just hours before Senegal’s high-profile clash against Peru at the iconic Stade de France on Saturday, 28 March. The fixture marks Senegal’s first outing since their triumph at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they lifted the continental crown on 18 March 2026 in Rabat.

Despite the injury setbacks, the friendlies remain a crucial part of Senegal’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The technical team is expected to use the matches to assess squad depth and test alternative attacking options in the absence of key stars.

With expectations high following their AFCON success, Senegal will now need to show resilience and adaptability as they continue their build-up to the global showpiece without some of their biggest names.