Pape Thiaw unveils star-studded Senegal squad for AFCON

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has named a star-studded squad ahead of their participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Leading the line for the West Africans is former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time and one of the best wingers of his generation, and will be assisted by Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson.

Other players named in the forward line include Ismailia Sarr, Boulaye Edia, Cherif Ndiaye, Iliman Ndiaye, Habib Diallo, Ibrahim Mbaye, Cheikh Sabaly, and Assane Diao. In midfield, Everton’s Idrissa Gana Gueye, and Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr have been shortlisted alongside Papa Gueye of La Liga club Villarreal, Habib Diarra of Sunderland.

Senegal’s defensive line will revolve around Kalidou Koulibaly of Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, and Moussa Niakhate of Olympique Lyonnais. El Hadji Malick Diouf of West Ham United has also been included.

Senegal will be chasing second AFCON title

In 2021, Senegal delivered their first-ever AFCON title. Their qualification campaign was dominant, with five wins and a draw. They are one of only eight teams to have remained unbeaten during the qualifiers, joining the likes of Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt.

Senegal hosted the 1992 African Cup of Nations, where they made it to the quarter-finals, and finished as runners-up in both 2002 and 2019. Senegal would finally win their first AFCON title in 2021, defeating Egypt in the final on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time.

The Lions of Teranga’s first appearance in the AFCON was in 1965, when they lost 1-0 to Ivory Coast for fourth place. Senegal will start their campaign against Botswana at Tangier Grand Stadium on December 23rd, before coming up against the Leopards at the same venue on December 27th.

Senegal will wind up their preliminary fixtures against Benin on December 30th.

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