Sadio Mané missed out on Senegal’s squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as head coach Patrick Vieira named his 26-player roster on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

The historical stalwart of the national team is unavailable due to family reasons, specifically the impending birth of his child, as RFI reported. Vieira addressed reporters in a press conference to clarify the decision surrounding the forward’s absence.

« Sur ce rassemblement-là, il va y avoir un événement. Il souhaite être près de sa famille et ça, c’est quelque chose que je comprends ».

« On s’est mis d’accord tous les deux pour qu’il puisse rester près de sa famille, parce que ce c’est qu’il voulait faire », he stated.

Alongside Mané, another veteran figure in Idrissa Gana Gueye was left off the list.

« On sait l’importance qu’Idrissa Gana Gueye a dans cette équipe. Son rôle est très important pour nous ».

Camara said. The Monaco midfielder added that the squad must take responsibility to compensate for the absence.

« C’est à nous de faire tout pour le remplacer. On sait que ce match sera important pour nous, pour le Sénégal. On va tout donner pour ça ».

he noted.

While veterans such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Pape Gueye, and Lamine Camara retained their spots, Vieira recalled Watford defender Krépin Diatta. Cagliari forward Paul Mendy earned his maiden senior selection. Meanwhile, Massiré Sylla, a 21-year-old central defender for Union Saint-Gilloise, received his first senior call-up to replace the injured Mamadou Sarr, Seneweb reported. The complete 26-player roster announced by Vieira features goalkeepers Yehvann Diouf, Mory Diaw, and Mamour Ndiaye.

The defenders selected are Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté, Malang Sarr, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Mamadou Sarr, Nobel Mendy, Sadibou Sané, Krépin Diatta, and Lamine Sy. The midfield features Pape Gueye, Pape Demba Diop, Lamine Camara, Pape Matar Sarr, and Dion Lopy, while the forward line includes Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, Clayton Diandy, Pathé Mboup, Boulaye Dia, Issa Soumaré, Ibrahim Mbaye, and Paul Mendy.

« Le travail et beaucoup de patience. » he said.

The Teranga Lions face Sudan in a double-header during the third and fourth matchdays of the qualifiers for the 2027 tournament.

Vieira scheduled his pre-match press conference for 10:30 local time at the stadium, followed by the team’s final training session at 17:30 on the annex pitch of the Stade Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio ahead of the match on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

The program for the gathering, detailed by Senegal7, also includes a pre-match press conference between Senegal and Sudan at the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, where media credentials will be available for pickup at the venue’s Media Space on Wednesday, November 11, from 10h to 18h.