Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has dropped defenders Moustapha Mbow and Ilay Camara from his preliminary squad to finalise his 26-man line-up for the World Cup before FIFA’s deadline on Monday.
Sadio Mane, who scored both of Senegal’s goals against the United States, remains a key figure in a star-studded Senegal squad that looks to be the most potent of the 10 African qualifiers for the finals.
The 34-year-old Al-Nassr forward will lead the line, while Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson, Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr have also been selected.
Bayern Munich’s 18-year-old midfielder Bara Ndiaye, who made his international debut on Sunday, playing the full 90 minutes, did enough to retain his place in the squad.
Senegal open their World Cup campaign against France on June 16 in New Jersey, in a repeat of their 2002 World Cup meeting, when the African side famously defeated the then-holders.
They will also face Norway at the same venue on June 22 and Iraq in Toronto on June 26 in their Group I matches.
–ChannelAfrica–
