Pape Thiaw published his first list as interim coach at the head of the Lions.
The technician called up 28 players, including two new ones, namely Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly (FC Metz) and Ibrahima Seck (US Gorée), in addition to two returns with Édouard Mendy (Al Ahli) and Krépin Diatta (AS Monaco). He focused on continuity compared to the last gathering. Despite the desire for renewal noted, the former coach of Niary Tally called on a few players lacking playing time and others performing poorly at the club. This costs the place of quite a few players who could have been on this list.
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Noah Fadiga, the obvious
A trained right-back, Noah Fadiga is shining this season in the colors of La Gantoise (Belgium) in a more advanced role than usual. After a 2023-2024 adaptation campaign (17 matches played, including 3 starts in the Jupiler League), the 24-year-old started 11 times in 13 matches played in the league for 3 goals. He even played all three Europa League Conference matches and scored a goal. Flattering figures for a player initially accustomed to a defensive position.
His metamorphosis is due to a change of position. Used as a right back at the start of the season, Noah found himself a right midfielder during a victory (4-1) in the league against Westerlo. Since then, coach Wouter Vrancken has aligned him on the attacking right side of his team. But this change of role does not make it forget its basic function. Solid in duels (nearly 50% of duels won) and good in defensive withdrawal, Noah has the complete range of the modern full-back. Called up twice under Aliou Cissé, the former Brest player never had his chance in the national team, barred by Youssouf Sabaly and Krépin Diatta, and especially by his injuries. But with the international retirement of the Betis Seville full-back and the deficit in this position, his presence would have been beneficial.
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Moussa Ndiaye, another asset on the left
Another resident of the Jupiler League Pro and another full-back, this time on the left side. Replacing last season with 6 starts in 14 championship matches played, Moussa Ndiaye has settled on the left lane of Anderlecht since the start of this 2024-2025 season. The 22-year-old defender played 13 times (12 starts) out of 17 possible matches. He has been indisputable since the end of September, making 9 starts. The former FC Barcelona player is the fifth highest-rated left back in the Jupiler League (Sofascore) and eighth in the Europa League.
Uncompromising in his lane, the defender won 60% of his duels and made 2 tackles per match on average. In the A national team, Moussa is one of those who received a call-up very early (17 years old). His precocity has earned him the reputation of being one of the best prospects in Senegalese football.
At the 2022 World Cup, the former resident of Aspire Foot replaced Sadio Mané, who had withdrawn, even wearing his number 10. But he failed to honor his first selection during the competition. Since then, Moussa Ndiaye has not been summoned. For this break, with the lack of playing time for Ismail Jakobs, recently recovered from an injury (nearly 3 weeks of absence), he would have deserved his place in the group.
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Pape Diallo, for the wing
If Cheikh Sabaly is the top scorer for FC Metz and the second top scorer in Ligue 2, it is also because Pape Amadou Diallo creates the chances and brings the danger in attack. The African U20 champion and 2023 Chan winner forms an explosive duo with the 25-year-old striker on the left side of FC Metz. The 20-year-old winger is the most destabilizing thing for a defender. Fast, dribbling, altruistic and formidable counter-attacker, the former Génération Foot player makes opposing teams dizzy.
Lacking unbalanced players, the Senegal national team would have counted on Pape Diallo. The only one capable of playing this role is Ismaila Sarr. The Crystal Palace winger, in poor form since the start of the season, needs this competition to get back on track. In this group, the Senegalese technician called on five advanced attackers, if we count Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly. The only real winger is Ismaila, which makes the absence of Pape Amadou all the more incomprehensible.
Mikayil Faye, for versatility
Arriving at Stade Rennais this winter from FC Barcelona, Mikayil Faye took time before finding a place in the Breton club’s squad. But since his first minutes in Ligue 1, the former Diambars player has made numerous appearances for Rennes. He started three times in the five matches played, showing his defensive qualities more than once with more than 4 balls recovered and 2 successful tackles per match. A versatile and modern defender, Mikayil has excellent technical quality with more than 87% successful passes.
After shining in the youth categories of the national team, Mikayil received his first call-up to the A team in March 2024, while he played with the B team of FC Barcelona. Against Gabon, for his first start, the 20-year-old defender made a good impression by scoring his first goal with a great strike. Until then, the player remains on this selection only. He was summoned again in June, but has been sidelined since then. His return to competition, especially in French Ligue 1 and the injury of Seydou Sano (unavailable for 10 to 15 days depending on his club) should allow him to return to the selection.
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