Vieira unveils first Senegal squad on Thursday, Mané returns from injury

Patrick Vieira will unveil Thursday at 10 a.m. (local time) in Dakar his first squad since taking charge of Senegal, ahead of two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Sudan. The coach, a native of the Senegalese capital, will also lead the Lions of Teranga in front of their home crowd for the first time.

Sadio Mané, who did not end his international career unlike Édouard Mendy, will make his return after missing the last gathering through injury. In the attacking sector, Nicolas Jackson stands out as a strong candidate after a remarkable start to the season with Aston Villa.

During Vieira’s first outings in charge of the national team, Senegal took just one point in Mozambique (1-1) before winning in Ethiopia (0-1) thanks to a goal from Ibrahim Mbaye, former PSG winger, in late December. Senegal had not been able to play at home at that time due to work on the pitch at Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor.

The two matches against the Nile Crocodiles are scheduled for November 12 and 16, the first in Dakar, the second in Sudanese territory. The top two from each group will secure qualification for the next Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, subject to confirmation of the organization by the CAF.

In the background, Senegal is also awaiting the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision regarding the Africa Cup of Nations 2025. The CAF appeals jury had awarded the title to Morocco by default, a ruling that the Lions of Teranga are contesting.