CAN 2023 qualifiers: Senegal's list without Edouard Mendy, with a "Tanzanian"

Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy with Lions captain Kalidou Koulibaly. (Illustration). REUTERS - Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow

2 min

Senegal coach Aliou Cissé has published his list for the double confrontation against Mozambique on March 24 (Diamniadio) and March 28 (Maputo) counting for the 3rd and 4th days of qualifying. The big surprise is probably the presence of Pape Ousmane Sakho who plays in the Tanzanian league.

Advertising

Read more

It is not unknown to the Senegalese public, or even African since Pape Ousmane Sakho was awarded the prize of the goal of the year at the last CAF Awards. But, the Simba SC striker still made a big jump from the Tanzanian championship to the Lions' den to be part of the players who will face Mozambique for the CAN 2023 qualifiers.

The former Teungueth FC player mostly followers of Senegal thanks to his spectacular goals with his club Simba SC, 22 titles of champions of Tanzania, and second in his group in the Champions League.

Mendy, Diallo, Sarr, absent

If the twirling attacking midfielder has won his call-up, it is also partly because of the many injuries among the African champions. This is confirmed half-heartedly by Aliou Cissé. "A lot of our players haven't had game time and we also have injuries. In reality, these are difficulties that have been there since the World Cup. We know the qualities of Pope Ousmane Sakho, we have been following him for two years. There is no discrimination, the national team is open to all players. That's why he was called upon."

Cissé's list indeed records many absentees with the forfeit of executives such as Edouard Mendy, Abdou Diallo, Cheikhou Kouyaté or Ismaila Sarr. Other players, lacking playing time (Pape Abou Cissé and Fodé Ballo-Touré), were not called up either.

Sadio Mané, who withdrew due to injury for the 2022 World Cup, is back after returning to competition with his club, Bayern Munich.

Newsletter Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

Read on on the same topics:

  • Senegal
  • CAN
  • CAN 2023
  • Football
  • Sports