Patrick Vieira is expected to bring Sadio Mane back into the Senegal squad while considering a first senior call-up for Stade Brestois winger Pathe Mboup.
Vieira’s second squad announcement is due on Thursday ahead of Senegal’s two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Sudan on 12 and 16 November. The coach is set to welcome back one of the team’s most influential figures as he continues the renewal that began in September.
Mane missed the previous international window because of a physical problem, but the former Liverpool forward is expected to return to the Taniere. The 34-year-old did not retire from international football after the World Cup and remains a central part of Senegal’s plans.
His inclusion would give Vieira another attacking option as well as valuable leadership within a squad going through a period of transition. Vieira began his tenure without Mane for matches against Mozambique, Ethiopia and Comoros. The manager could now draw on the forward’s experience for his first match in front of the Dakar crowd, against Sudan at the Leopold-Sedar-Senghor stadium on 12 November.
Iliman Ndiaye is also set to feature in an official match under Vieira for the first time. The Manchester City player was suspended for Senegal’s opening two qualifying matches before appearing in the side’s 1-0 friendly victory over Comoros in Marseille. His inclusion would therefore represent a return to competitive action with the new coach rather than a return to the national set-up itself.
The biggest surprise could be Mboup. Several Senegalese media outlets report that the 23-year-old Stade Brestois winger is in line for his first senior international call-up.
Mboup started each of the first nine Ligue 1 matches of the season, scoring two goals and providing one assist. His energy, willingness to take on defenders and ability to operate on either flank would give Vieira a different type of attacking player.
The Senegal international previously played for Standard de Liege and Pau before joining Brest, and now appears to be establishing the consistency that had been missing from his progress at the highest level.
A first call-up would reward that development, although it would not guarantee Mboup an immediate role of significance. Competition for places in Senegal’s attack remains intense, with Mane, Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, Boulaye Dia, Ibrahim Mbaye, Assane Diao and Abdallah Sima among the available options.
Ismaila Sarr’s fitness could nevertheless open up space. He missed the previous gathering and is again a doubt because of a physical issue, potentially giving Mboup an opportunity to show he can become more than a squad newcomer.
Against Sudan, Vieira must balance the return of one of the Taniere’s leading figures with the introduction of a forward who represents Senegal’s next generation.