One week before the publication of the list of players for the next Lions gathering, on the sidelines of the 3rd and 4th days of qualifying for CAN 2025, Aliou Cissé sees several players performing at a good level. The coach will have his work cut out for him to choose his group to challenge Malawi.
Abundance of goods does no harm. It is not Aliou Cissé who will contradict this old proverb. With a profusion of in-form Senegalese footballers at his disposal, the Lions coach will have the choice, but not the most obvious, to concoct, by next Friday, his list of players for the double confrontation against Malawi (October 11 at Diamniadio; October 15 in Lilongwe), counting for qualifications for CAN 2025. Because, unlike the last gatherings, many players are applying for a place in the El Tactico group, and in almost all positions.
New faces in the cages and in defense?
The September gathering, even with some notable absentees, had seen very few returnees and major new developments, with the exception of the first call-up of 19-year-old left piston El Hadji Malick Diouf, impressive in the colors of Slavia Prague. But for October, Aliou Cissé should undoubtedly allow some to make their return and, perhaps, others to discover La Tanière. With Mory Diaw inactive in Clermont, the coach could thus look at his partner Massamba Ndiaye, holder at CF63, or even on Landing Badji (Umm-Salal) or Yehvann Diouf (Stade Reims), given that Bingourou Kamara (Pau FC) returns fresh from an injury…
In central defense, the expected returns of Abdoulaye Niakhaté Ndiaye, who returned to the field with Stade Brestois, and even Arouna Sangante (Le Havre AC) directly threaten Mikayil Ngor Faye. The 20-year-old is limited to a substitute role at Rennes and has still not started since his arrival this summer. Hoping to count on Moussa Niakhaté, who missed Olympique Lyonnais’ last two matches due to injury, Aliou Cissé could also consider the option of FC Midtjylland defender Ousmane Diao. At the age of 20, former AF resident Darou Salam has had a great start to the season in Denmark (15 matches, 3 goals).
At the full-back positions, Ismail Jakobs and El Hadji Malick Diouf will certainly still be there to get back into competition on the left. On the other hand, the question remains the same for several gatherings. On the right, will Aliou Cissé continue to rely on central defenders, midfielders or wingers to occupy the position, or will he finally call on a professional right-back? In any case, there is an ounce of suspense particularly with regard to the form of Noah Fadiga, indisputable starter and author of two goals in his last three matches with La Gantoise. While the Belgian-Senegalese from Standard Liège Ilay Camara continues to wait for Senegal.
Traffic jam in attack
For the coach of the 2022 African champions, the headache will be much less acute when choosing his midfielders. With the exception of Nampalys Mendy, who does not seem to be part of Will Still’s plans at RC Lens, everyone is playing and in good shape currently. With his situation at the club, the former Leicester City player could see his coach do without his services. The latter could then consider the return of Dion Lopy (Almería), or even summon for the first time Cheikh Niasse (Young Boys de Berne) or Pape Demba Diop (Zulte Waregem), to accompany Lamine Camara, Pape Gueye, Idrissa Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr, Pathé Ciss, Habib Diarra.
In attack, whether at center forward or on the wings, there is indeed a traffic jam of applications, and this is where Cissé should scratch his dreadlocks when ticking off names. If all the attackers called up in September are currently available (Mané, Jackson, Chérif Ndiaye, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr, Sima, Habib Diallo), the lack of efficiency noted recently could push El Tactico to infuse other things, with successful players in their clubs. Absent since March, Boulaye Dia (Lazio) is clearly applying for a return. His performances at the start of the season (6 goals in 6 games) should not go unnoticed by Aliou Cissé.
There won’t be room for everyone, but another player who has been absent from La Tanière since March and who could make a return is Bamba Dieng (Angers). On the other hand, the excellent start to the season of the current top scorer in the Scottish Championship Pape Habib Gueye, who has already scored 6 goals in 8 games with Aberdeen, could not escape the Lions staff. At 25 years old, Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly is a promising feat for the Senegal National Team. The FC Metz winger currently dominates French Ligue 2 (7 goals in 6 games), like Pape Meissa Ba (Grenoble) with his 5 goals. What about them?
Aliou Cissé’s latest list
wiwsport.com
