Senegal will take to the pitch without star forward Sadio Mané for their upcoming friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and England, handing a crucial opportunity to a new generation of attackers to lead the line and prove their worth.
The Lions of Teranga will face Ireland on Friday, June 6 at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, followed by a test against England on June 10.
Mané’s absence—coupled with the late withdrawal of midfielder Pape Matar Sarr—means head coach Pape Thiaw will turn to the likes of Ismaïla Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, and Nicolas Jackson to carry the attacking burden.
At 27, Ismaïla Sarr is the most seasoned attacker in the current squad.
Coming off a strong season at Crystal Palace, where he recorded eight goals and six assists and helped secure the FA Cup, Sarr will be expected to assume greater responsibility.
Despite his form at club level, his recent contributions for Senegal have been underwhelming, with his last international goal coming via a penalty against Burundi on September 9, 2024.
With Mané sidelined, Sarr could be deployed on the left flank, a role he thrived in during the 2022 World Cup.
Iliman Ndiaye, fresh from a stellar campaign at Everton, is another key figure expected to step up.
The former Marseille midfielder was instrumental in helping Everton avoid relegation, and his recent performances for Senegal have made a notable impact.
Ndiaye contributed assists in recent victories over Malawi and Burundi and is widely admired for his ability to link midfield with attack.
His absence during goalless draws with Sudan and Togo was deeply felt.
Now back, Ndiaye’s creativity and dribbling could be pivotal in unlocking Ireland’s defence.
Nicolas Jackson also finds himself under the spotlight.
Though the Chelsea striker capped off the season with a Conference League title, his national team form has been less convincing.
After scoring his first international goal in his 17th cap against Malawi, Jackson has yet to follow it up.
With renewed confidence from his club success, the expectation is for him to finally find consistency in the Lions’ shirt.
Boulaye Dia, who scored nine goals in Serie A, offers another reliable option.
Alongside him are Chérif Ndiaye, the Serbian league’s top scorer with 19 goals, Abdallah Sima, Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly, and newcomer Idrissa Guèye of Metz—each offering fresh dynamism and firepower.
Senegal’s recent struggle to convert chances has been a persistent issue, with much depending on individual brilliance from Mané or flashes of creativity from Habib Diarra.
The upcoming matches represent an important test of depth and resilience for Thiaw’s men.
With high-profile opponents and absent stars, these fixtures will offer a glimpse into the future of Senegalese football—and whether its emerging attackers are ready to shoulder the nation’s hopes on the international stage.
