Senegalese football star Sadio Mane will not be part of his country’s upcoming friendly matches against Ireland and England in June. The 33-year-old forward asked to skip the games, and national team coach Pape Thiaw has accepted his request.
“It’s a personal matter, and I respect his decision,” Thiaw told reporters during a press briefing. While the reason behind Mane’s absence wasn’t revealed, the coach emphasized it was a private issue.
Mane has played 111 times for Senegal and remains one of the team’s most influential players. However, he faced some criticism after Senegal’s mixed results in March’s World Cup qualifiers. The team managed a win over Togo but only drew with Sudan, and Mane’s performance drew attention from fans and media.
Despite his absence, Senegal’s 26-man squad still looks strong. The coach announced the full team on Tuesday, with only Mane missing from the regular list. One new name is cut midfielder Mamadou Lamine Camara, who recently helped his club, Renaissance Berkane, win the African Confederation Cup. His impressive form earned him a first call-up.
Seven players who missed the March qualifiers are back in the squad. Notable returns include Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye. Their presence is expected to boost Senegal’s attacking options.
Senegal will face Ireland on June 6 in Dublin and then travel to Nottingham to play England on June 10. These two friendlies are part of the team’s preparations ahead of upcoming competitions, and the squad looks balanced with a mix of experienced players and promising young talent.
Senegal Squad Highlights:
- Goalkeepers include Mory Diaw (Rodez), Yevhann Diouf (Reims), and Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli).
- Defenders like Kalidou Koulibaly, Abdou Diallo, and Moussa Niakhate will provide strength at the back.
- Midfield includes Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), and debutant Mamadou Lamine Camara.
- Forwards feature Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), and Abdallah Sima (Stade Brest).
Even without Mane, Senegal has depth and quality across all areas. Fans will be eager to see how the team performs against top European sides as they continue to build for the future.
By Yockshard Enyendi