Senegal coach Aliou Cisse pulled off a surprise in Dakar on Thursday by opting to name his final 2018 FIFA World Cup squad while other teams are announcing their initial player lists.
The Teranga Lions boss said there was no need for time wasting, with ‘the tournament fast approaching’. However, four players were included in the group as reserves, in the event of injuries to the bloc of 23.
French-born players Youssouf Sabaly and Mbaye Niang, who joined the team during the qualifiers, made the roster while the likes of Papy Djilobodji, Armand Traoré, Pape Souaré, Assane Dioussé, Younousse Sankharé, Opa Nguette and Nantais Santy Ngom were dropped.
The Lions key players: Koulibaly, Kouyaté, Gana Gueye, Ismaila Sarr, Baldé Keita, Moussa Sow and Sadio Mané figure on the list.
Senegal are pitted against Poland, Japan and Colombia in Group H.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Abdoulaye Diallo, Khadim Ndiaye, Alfred Gomis
Defenders : Lamine Gassama, Moussa Wagué, Saliou Ciss, Youssouf Sabaly, Kalidou Kalidou, Salif Sané, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Kara Mbodji
Midfielders: Idrisa Gana Gueye, Cheikh Ndoye, Alfred Ndiaye, Pape Alioune Ndiaye
Forwards: Moussa Sow, Moussa Konaté, Diafra Sakho, Sadio Mané, Ismaila Sarr, Mame Biram Diouf, Mbaye Niang, Diao Keita Baldé
Reserves : Fallou Diagne, Adama Mbengue, Henri Saivet and Famara Diedhiou.
