The Senegalese national team, the Teranga Lions, announced their 27-man roster for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament on Friday, as head coach Aliou Cisse hopes to rely on a blend of seasoned veterans and young talent in his AFCON crown defence mission.
Team captain and global superstar Sadio Mane headlines the squad. The Al Nassr striker led Senegal to their first ever AFCON championship last year, scoring the decisive penalty kick in the final.
Stalwarts like Al-Ahli goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Al-Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly and Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye bring stability and experience. Meanwhile, emerging talents like Marseille’s Ismaila Sarr and Monaco’s Krepin Diatta inject energy into the attack.
Coach Cisse emphasized the team’s “focus, determination and fighting spirit” as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
Senegal is drawn into Group C alongside Gambia, Guinea and Cameroon. They will open play against Zimbabwe on January 10th.
The 2023 AFCON tournament will run from January 13th to February 11th in Ivory Coast, and all teams have up to January 3rd to release their final squad, a maximum of 27, to CAF.
Senegal’s squad for AFCON 2023
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli/KSA), Seny Dieng (Middlesbrough/ENG), Mory Diaw (Clermont/FRA)
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal/KSA), Abdou Diallo (Al-Arabi/QAT), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa/ISR), Abdoulaye Niakhate (Troyes/FRA), Moussa Niakhate (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Fode Ballo Toure (Fulham/ENG), Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis/ESP), Ismail Jackobs (Monaco/FRA), Formose Mendy (Lorient/FRA)
Midfielders: Nampalys Mendy (Lens/FRA), Idrissa Gueye (Everton/ENG), Pape Sarr (Tottenham/ENG), Pape Gueye (Marseille/FRA), Krepin Diatta (Monaco/FRA), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano/ESP), Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Lamine Camara (Metz/FRA)
Forwards: Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr/KSA), Habibou Diallo (Al Shabab), Iliman Ndiaye (Marseille/FRA), Ismaila Sarr (Marseille/FRA), Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea/ENG), Boulaye Dia (Salernitana/ITA), Abdallah Sima (Rangers/SCO)
