Patrick Vieira announces first Senegal squad without Mané

Patrick Vieira has announced his first Senegal squad since taking charge this summer, selecting 29 players for the upcoming AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Mozambique and Ethiopia, along with a friendly against Comoros. The headline omission is Sadio Mané, who is recovering from injury but expected to return for the next international window. Vieira’s list features a mix of established leaders and emerging talent, with L’Equipe reporting call‑ups for Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye, Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr. Nine Ligue 1 players also make the squad, including Moussa Niakhate, Lamine Camara, Abdallah Sima, Boulaye Dia and Issa Soumare.

The 1998 World Cup winner begins his tenure aiming to refresh the Lions of Teranga while maintaining a strong competitive core. Senegal face Ethiopia away on September 29 in Group J, marking the start of a new era without Mané — at least temporarily — as Vieira shapes his vision for the team’s future.