Senegal forward Sadio Mane will not feature in his country’s high-profile friendly against England, with officials confirming his absence is tied to religious obligations.
The Al-Nassr winger, who remains one of Africa’s most revered footballers, will miss the encounter despite being fully fit and recently starting for his Saudi club in their 3–2 win over Al-Fateh.
The decision ends a streak of more than a decade during which Mane never turned down a national team call-up.
According to reports from SeneNews and the Daily Mail, the 33-year-old is currently in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage — an obligatory act for Muslims and one of the five pillars of Islam.
Mane, a devout Muslim, has chosen to fulfil this religious duty, placing faith ahead of football commitments.
President of the Senegalese Football Federation, Augustin Senghor, addressed the issue at a press briefing organised by the UK ambassador to Senegal.
He acknowledged the absence of Mane as a blow but framed the decision as a collective one.
“It’s definitely a tough moment for us. Everyone knows what Sadio means to our squad,” Senghor said, clarifying that Mane’s exclusion was agreed upon with the team’s head coach.
“Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise for him and for us. We want to see him at his best for the upcoming challenges.”
Senghor added that Mane’s absence opens the door for others in the squad. “These matches allow others to step up, prove they can play alongside our key figures, and help the team progress.”
Senegal are using the England game as part of preparations for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and 2026 World Cup campaign.
