Two and a half months after a disappointing 2026 World Cup (three defeats in North America, including that in the round of 16 against Belgium, 3-2 after, on July 1 in Seattle), the Senegal team is opening a new chapter in its history. It will be without the captains Sadio ManĂ© (33 years old) and Édouard Mendy (34 years old), pending the announcement of the international retirement or not of Kalidou Koulibaly (35 years old), nor Pape Thiaw at the helm of the Teranga Lions (even if the technician’s contract has not yet been terminated). Patrick Vieira is the new coach.
The Senegalese federation has announced the very first press conference of the 1998 world champion for Friday (10:30 a.m. at the LĂ©opold SĂ©dar Senghor Stadium). The former Arsenal midfielder, who is making his comeback to the country since he was born in Dakar, will give his first list for the first two qualifying matches for the 2027 African Cup of Nations. The Senegalese challenge Mozambique on Friday 25 in Maputo then Ethiopia four days later in Bahir Dar. Sudan is the other team in this qualifying group.
A gala match for Senegal at the VĂ©lodrome
After these two official matches, Senegal will not play at home but in Marseille, during a friendly match against the Comoros, on Sunday October 4 at the VĂ©lodrome. The opportunity for Pape Gueye, Iliman Ndiaye and IsmaĂŻla Sarr to return to the Marseille city. A French international 107 times from 1997 to 2009 (for 6 goals), Vieira did not play France-Norway in a friendly before the 1998 World Cup and remained on the bench for the Blues, four months later, during the 3-0 victory against South Africa to start the World Cup.
The Comoros will be greatly supported by the public since its diaspora is important in Marseille. Several Coelacantes are natives of the Provençal city, like Captain Youssouf M’Changama. To see if Keyliane Abdallah, the young winger (20 years old) from OM, will honor his first selection with the Comoros. If he was a French U20, the left-hander can represent the Comoros, since he grew up in Mayotte, an island in the archipelago.
