Sadio Mané left out of Patrick Vieira’s first squad

The Lions of Teranga’s star striker will not feature in the first two matchdays of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

This is one of the major surprises in the squad announced by Senegal’s new head coach on Friday 18 September. An indispensable player for the Senegalese national team, Sadio Mané has not been selected by Patrick Vieira to kick off the qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

As yet, no explanation has been given for Sadio Mané’s omission. However, rumours that had circulated after the 2026 World Cup, suggesting the Senegalese striker was retiring from international football, had been denied.

Mané’s absence from the list of 29 Lions called up by Vieira is nevertheless raising questions. The 34-year-old striker will therefore not be with the Lions of Teranga for their matches against Mozambique on 25 September and Ethiopia on 29 September.

Senegal will also play an international friendly against the Comoros on 4 October.