Coach Joseph Koto is wasting no time in preparing for the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, with a training camp already underway at the Jules Bocandé technical center in Toubab Dialaw. The camp will run until April 18, as Koto looks to fine-tune his squad for the competition, which will take place from May 30 to June 20.
The 22-player roster Koto has unveiled includes a mix of home-based talent and an interesting expatriate addition: Amadou Kassaraté, who plays in the Conference National (5th division) in England with Welling United FC.
The squad is heavily composed of players from the Senegalese domestic league, many of whom had a significant role in reaching the final of the 2015 African Nations Championship, where Senegal was narrowly defeated 1-0 by Nigeria.
Here’s the complete list of pre-selected players for the camp:
Lamine Ba
Adelinou Banime Corréa
Moussa Koné
Pape Alé Wade
Richard Sagna (Dakar Sacré Cœur)
Alhasane Sylla
Elimane Cissé (Diambars)
Moussa Wagué
Abdoulaye Ndione
Moussa Ba (Aspire)
Amadou Boiro
El Hadj Malick Niang (US Gorée)
Mamadou Loum Ndiaye (US Ouakam)
Mamadou Diouf Seck (Teungueth FC)
Sidy Sarr
Pape Diène Faye
Ibrahima Wadji (Mbour Petite Côte)
Oumar Goudiaby (Guédiawaye FC)
Alassane Diouf (Darou Salam)
Amadou Kassaraté (Welling United FC, England)
Rémi Nassalan (Ndangane FC)
Babacar Ndiaye (Renaissance Dakar)
The inclusion of Amadou Kassaraté is an interesting move as it shows the coach’s desire to bring in diverse talent from both local and international clubs. This team could be one to watch at the U-20 World Cup if they build on their strong domestic form.
It’s exciting to see how the team will gel in these early stages of preparation. Do you have any predictions or standout players from the list who could make a big impact at the World Cup?
