#9. Senegal 🇸🇳
Population: 17,196,308
Nickname: Lions of Terranga
Appearances: 17th
Last Appearance: 2021
Coach: Aliou Cisse
Best AFCON results: Winners (2021)
Skipper: Kalidou Koulibaly
Player to watch: Sadio Mane
Region: WAFU
CAF Rankings: 2nd
FIFA Rankings: 20
Most caps: Iddrisa Gana Gueye (107)
Top Scorer: Sadio Mane (40)
Senegal, the defending champions, are expected to defend their title in Ivory Coast. The Lions of Terranga won on penalties to win their first-ever title against Egypt in the 2021 AFCON.
There is an unreal consistency at the helm of Senegalese football as Aliou Cisse has been the head coach since 2015 after replacing Alain Giresse.
Back-to-back finals in the AFCON is a massive achievement for Aliou Cisse as he prepares his Senegal team for his 4th AFCON as a head coach for Senegal.
Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly moved from the English Premier League to the Saudi PRO League in the summer but still are top-notch players that Cisse will seek inspiration from.
Senegal finished top of Group L of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers with 14 points, 4 more than the second-placed team, Mozambique.
Ranked second on the continent and 20th in the world, Senegal commenced their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a 4-0 win over South Sudan and a goalless draw against Togo in Lome.
Senegal is undoubtedly one of the overwhelming favourites to lift the 2023 AFCON.
The Core of the team
Edouard Mendy remains Senegal’s number-one goalkeeper with Kalidou Koulibaly and Moussa Niakhate at the heart of the defence.
Pape Sarr, Gueye, Nampalys Mendy, and Diatta are the first-choice midfielders for Cisse.
Mane, Ismaila Sarr and Ndiaye will lead the attack for Senegal.
Probable 11
Mendy
Sabaly, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Jakobs
Sarr, Gueye, Camara
Mane, Sarr, Ndiaye
Notable Legends
El Hadji Diouf, Aliou Cisse, Pape Bouba Diop, Henri Camara, Fadiga, Sadio Mane, Demba Ba, Papiss Demba Cisse, Kalidou Koulibaly
Expectations:
Semi-finals
Fixtures:
•Senegal v Gambia
•Senegal v Cameroon
•Guinea v Senegal
