Assane Diao: Fabregas defends strikers’ absence from Senegal squad

Como head coach Cesc Fabregas has come out to defend the decision not to allow striker Assane Dio to link up with Senegal squad ahead of their friendly against Gambia during the upcoming FIFA international break.

The squad features a blend of experienced African Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners and new talent, including a first call-up for Mamadou Diakhon.

📋 Voici la liste des 28 joueurs convoqués par le sélectionneur national Pape Thiaw pour les matchs amicaux du mois de mars 2026 : le 28/03 contre le Perou à Paris et le 31/03 contre la Gambie à Diamniadio. 📞🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/8ix5Q5tct6

— Equipe du Sénégal (@GaindeYi) March 19, 2026

However, forward Sadio Mane was not included due to injury, the same as Diao, who missed the 2025 AFCON in Morocco owing to injury.

Diao lacked match fitness

“I’m very happy about it. The more they go, the better. It means the players are progressing. The only problem with (Assane) Diao was his lack of match fitness,” explained Fabregas as quoted by Como website.

“But for the club, for the fans, we should be very proud. No, it doesn’t bother me. Only if today, tomorrow, and Sunday, they focus more on the national teams rather than on the club. Diao’s call-up to the Senegal squad? I prefer not to talk about it…”

Diao can still improve

He added: “Regarding his form, he can still improve. I’ve seen him play better. When you see him play like he did against Roma, exploiting the spaces and scoring goals… Right now, it’s difficult for us to say how many minutes he should play.

“But we have to be careful for the moment. We want him to be at his peak. But he’s only 20 years old. The challenges he’s faced recently have made him mentally stronger.”

Senegal are gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they have been drawn into Group I alongside France and Norway, with one more team set to join via the playoffs.

The upcoming friendlies will provide an important opportunity for coach Thiaw to assess his squad and test combinations to use the best plans possible to use in the World Cup.

Senegal Squad to Face Gambia (March 2026);

Goalkeepers: Édouard Mendy, Mory Diaw, Yehvann Diouf.

Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Captain), Moussa Niakhaté, Ismail Jakobs, Antoine Mendy, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Mamadou Sarr, Abdoulaye Seck, Krépin Diatta.

Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye, Lamine Camara, Pape Matar Sarr, Pape Gueye, Pathé Ciss, Habib Diarra, Mamadou Camara, Ousseynou Niang.

Forwards: Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson, Boulaye Dia, Ismaïla Sarr, Habib Diallo, Iliman Ndiaye, Cherif Ndiaye, Cheikh Sabaly, Mamadou Diakhon, Ibrahim Mbaye.