Vieira reshapes Senegal squad ahead of first 2027 Afcon qualifiers

Patrick Vieira has named eight uncapped players in his first Senegal squad, while Sadio Mane and seven other members of the country’s 2026 World Cup squad have been left out of the 29-man group.

Vieira was officially presented as Senegal’s new head coach on Friday and has selected his squad for the opening stages of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Senegal will begin with an away fixture against Mozambique on 25 September before travelling to Ethiopia four days later. The Lions will then face Comoros in a friendly in Marseille on 4 October.

Two of the new arrivals are goalkeepers. Ngagne Demba Thiam, 28, has been rewarded for his performances with Monza after several years in Italy. The 2.02m goalkeeper had been expected to feature in Vieira’s plans following Edouard Mendy’s international retirement.

He is joined by 20-year-old Mamour Ndiaye of AS Saint-Etienne, who moved to the club from Sarpsborg this summer. Ndiaye was part of the Senegal team that won the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

There are also four first-time selections in defence. Malang Sarr, 27, has received his first Senegal call-up after being regularly requested by the country’s supporters. The Neom centre-back, formerly of Lens and a former France Under-21 international, missed the 2026 World Cup despite his club form before joining the Saudi Arabian side this summer.

Sadibou Sane, 22, has been included after making a strong start at AS Monaco, whom he joined from Metz during the transfer window. Arouna Sangante, 24, of Sevilla, also adds to the changes in central defence.

At right-back, Vieira has selected 24-year-old Lamine Sy of AJ Auxerre. Born in France, Sy has established himself as a regular in Ligue 1 and provides another option in a position affected by several absences.

The two new forwards are Issa Soumare and Pape Moussa Fall. Soumare, 25, joined Stade Rennais this summer after three seasons with Le Havre, while 22-year-old FC Metz striker Fall has already scored five goals in Ligue 2 this season.

Eight players from Senegal’s 2026 World Cup squad are missing: Abdoulaye Seck, Ismail Jakobs, Krepin Diatta, Antoine Mendy, Pathe Ciss, Habib Diarra, Bamba Dieng and Mane. Diatta is without a club, while Mendy and Diarra are injured.

Vieira said Mane had a “minor physical issue” after speaking to the two-time African Ballon d’Or winner by telephone. He added that he expected to work with him in the future.

Gana Gueye and Kalidou Koulibaly remain in the squad, but Edouard Mendy and Cherif Ndiaye are unavailable after announcing their international retirements.

Five players return to the group: Nobel Mendy, Rassoul Ndiaye, Abdallah Sima, Boulaye Dia and Mamadou Diakhon. The squad also retains a strong core from the World Cup, including Yehvann Diouf, Mory Diaw, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Lamine Camara, Pape Matar Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr and Nicolas Jackson.