Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr will miss Senegal’s next fixtures: what is the reason?

The two Senegalese strikers will be unavailable, not due to fitness issues, but because of a disciplinary suspension.

The Lions of Teranga are set to kick off their qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Senegal will host Mozambique on 25 September in their opening match before travelling to Ethiopia on 29 September for the second match of the qualifiers.

However, the Lions of Teranga will have to do without two of their strikers for these fixtures. Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr will not be available for the home match or the away fixture in Ethiopia.

The two Senegalese players were sanctioned by the CAF Disciplinary Committee for unsporting behaviour towards the referee following the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco, played on 18 January 2026 in Rabat.

This suspension applies specifically to competitions organised by CAF. Consequently, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr will serve this suspension during the first two matchdays of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.