Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, has announced his final 28-player roster for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
The Teranga Lions, who claimed their first title in 2022, will kick off their campaign on December 23 against Botswana, followed by matches against Benin and DR Congo in Group D.
Despite fitness worries, Thiaw is confident that all three players in question will be fit for the tournament.
Sarr, Diarra, and Diao are included despite these concerns. A significant topic of discussion is the selection of Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra, and Assane Diao, all of whom were previously considered doubtful for the event.
Assane Diao sustained a thigh injury while playing for Como last weekend.
Habib Diarra has been sidelined since undergoing groin surgery in September for Sunderland.
Ismaila Sarr has missed Crystal Palace’s last three games due to ankle ligament damage sustained against Manchester United.
However, Thiaw expressed confidence in the medical team’s ability to have them ready in time, emphasizing their tactical significance and international experience.
A squad rich in talent and continuity, Senegal’s core remains strong, featuring well-known players from Europe and the Gulf.
Captain Kalidou Koulibaly, attacking star Sadio Mané, and midfield stalwart Idrissa Gana Gueye are all part of the squad, while Pape Matar Sarr, one of Africa’s most promising young midfielders, will play a key role following a successful season with Tottenham.
In attack, Thiaw has assembled a dynamic and diverse lineup. Boulaye Dia, Habib Diallo, Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, and Cherif Ndiaye offer depth and versatility, making Senegal’s forward line one of the most formidable in the competition.
Defensive stability remains a strength, with Moussa Niakhaté, Ismail Jakobs, Antoine Mendy, Abdoulaye Seck, and rising talent Mamadou Sarr joining Koulibaly to form a unit characterized by physical presence and athleticism.
The goalkeeping team includes seasoned Edouard Mendy, in-form Le Havre keeper Mory Diaw, and Nice’s Yehvann Diouf. Thiaw stated Senegal’s objective clearly: “We are here to go as far as possible.
This team possesses the talent and maturity to compete again at the highest level.” With a balanced squad and confidence in their recovering players, Senegal heads to Morocco as one of the top contenders to win the tournament.
FULL SENEGAL SQUAD FOR AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers
Mory Diaw (Le Havre)
Yehvann Diouf (Nice)
Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli)
Defenders
Ilay Camara (Anderlecht)
Krépin Diatta (Monaco)
El Hadji Malik Diouf (West Ham United)
Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray)
Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal)
Antoine Mendy (Nice)
Moussa Niakhaté (Olympique Lyonnais)
Mamadou Sarr (Racing Strasbourg)
Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa)
Midfielders
Lamine Camara (Monaco)
Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano)
Habib Diarra (Sunderland)
Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton)
Pape Gueye (Villarreal)
Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards
Boulaye Dia (Lazio)
Habib Diallo (Metz)
Assane Diao (Como)
Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich)
Sadio Mané (Al Nassr)
Ibrahim Mbaye (Paris Saint-Germain)
Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor)
Iliman Ndiaye (Everton)
Cheikh Sabaly (Metz)
Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace)
