Senegal Confirm Ousseynou Niang as Replacement for Assane Diao at 2025 AFCON

The Senegalese Football Federation has officially confirmed a change to the national team squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following an injury setback.

Promising striker Assane Diao has been withdrawn from the squad after sustaining a hamstring injury while representing Como in their Serie A fixture against AS Roma earlier in the week. Although his availability for the tournament had been in doubt, the federation has now formally confirmed that the 20-year-old will be unable to take part in the competition.

In an official statement released by the federation, Ousseynou Niang has been named as Diao’s replacement in the AFCON squad. The statement reads:

“Ousseynou Niang will join the national team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, replacing Assane Diao, who is out of the competition.”

The 24-year-old left midfielder, who currently plays for Union Saint-Gilloise, was initially listed among the reserve players.