Patrick Vieira’s first Senegal squad has taken shape in Dakar, with a strong Ligue 1 presence but without Sadio Mané for the first international window of the new coach’s reign.
Appointed Senegal manager this summer, Vieira named a 29-man group on Friday for three fixtures across the upcoming break. The Lions of Teranga will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Mozambique on 25 September, face Ethiopia four days later, and then meet Comoros in a friendly on 4 October.
The former France midfielder, a World Cup winner in 1998, has balanced established international figures with fresh faces for his first assignment on the Senegal bench. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly has been retained, alongside Idrissa Gueye, Nicolas Jackson and Ismaïla Sarr.
Nine players currently based in Ligue 1 are included in the selection, underlining the division’s place within Senegal’s current pool. Lyon defender Moussa Niakhaté and Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara are among them, as are Lens forward Abdallah Sima and Rennes pair Boulaye Dia and Issa Soumaré.
Mané is the most notable absentee after injury ruled him out of this gathering. Vieira indicated, however, that the experienced forward is expected to return for Senegal’s next camp.
