logo
Sadio Mane to miss Senegal's friendly against the Republic of Ireland

Sadio Mane to miss Senegal's friendly against the Republic of Ireland

Irish Examiner27-05-2025
Sadio Mane will not play for Senegal in next month's internationals against the Republic of Ireland and England after asking to be excused for the two friendly matches.
Mane is the only major absentee from a 26-man squad unveiled by coach Pape Thiaw on Tuesday.
"It's a personal decision that is his private business, and I respect that as a coach," Thiaw told a press conference.
The 33-year-old Mane, who has won 111 caps for the west Africa country, has been subjected to criticism for his last performances for Senegal in March, where they drew with Sudan but beat Togo in World Cup qualifiers.
Thiaw named one newcomer in midfielder Mamadou Lamine Camara, who won the African Confederation Cup on Sunday with his Moroccan club Renaissance Berkane.
There are returns to the squad after missing the March qualifiers for seven players, including Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson and Iliman Ndiaye from Everton.
Senegal take on Ireland in Dublin on June 6 and England in Nottingham on June 10.
Senegal squad:
Goalkeepers: Mory Diaw (Rodez), Yevhann Diouf (Stade Reims), Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli).
Defenders: Abdou Diallo (Al Arabi), El Hadj Malick Diouf (Slavia Prague), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Moussa Niakhate (Olympique Lyonnais), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa).
Midfielders: Lamine Camara (Monaco), Mamadou Lamine Camara (Renaissance Berkane), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Habib Diarra (Racing Strasbourg), Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur).
Forwards: Boulaye Dia (Lazio), Idrissa Gueye (Metz), Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea), Cherif Ndiaye (Red Star Belgrade), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Cheikh Sabaly (Metz), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), Abdallah Sima (Stade Brest).
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Daniel McDonnell: Select few will be doing the heavy lifting in latest Irish Premier League story
Daniel McDonnell: Select few will be doing the heavy lifting in latest Irish Premier League story

Irish Independent

timean hour ago

  • Irish Independent

Daniel McDonnell: Select few will be doing the heavy lifting in latest Irish Premier League story

The number of relatively local subplots to watch has been reduced but there are still some intriguing angles The beginning of the Premier League season doubles as a reminder that the World Cup is around the corner. All the players kicking off their campaigns this weekend will be hoping that there's a trip to the USA coming at the end of it. A small contingent of Irishmen will be among them, with the relegation of Ipswich and Southampton cutting down the top-flight headcount in a manner that would impress a penny-pinching accountant.

Robertson must persuade sceptics, Erasmus wants to ticker
Robertson must persuade sceptics, Erasmus wants to ticker

Irish Examiner

time2 hours ago

  • Irish Examiner

Robertson must persuade sceptics, Erasmus wants to ticker

An evolving New Zealand squad will be under pressure to challenge South Africa for Rugby Championship silverware amid growing impatience with progress under Scott Robertson. After dominating the southern hemisphere tournament from 2021-23, the All Blacks surrendered last year's title to the Springboks in Robertson's first season in charge. Two losses to South Africa and a home defeat by Argentina showed the New Zealanders struggling to move on from a post-World Cup exodus of senior players. The All Blacks have since won seven out of eight tests, including a 3-0 whitewash in the home series against a depleted France in July. However, home media remain sceptical about their regeneration mid-way through the World Cup cycle. "I think it's a team that's really trying to find our identity this year," prop Fletcher Newell told New Zealand media in Cordoba. "I feel like we showed glimpses of it against France but we want to build on those areas. "We want to play fast and to be really strong in our set piece, and pride ourselves in those areas." The All Blacks may be glad to start their Rugby Championship campaign with a two-test tour of Argentina where they have never been beaten by the hosts — despite losing to them at home and in Australia in recent years. They will hope to build momentum before a pair of all-important home tests against Rassie Erasmus's Springboks in Auckland and Wellington next month. While Erasmus is eager to build depth to reinforce an ageing Springboks squad before their World Cup title defence, Robertson has tinkered at the edges of his roster while keeping the core intact. He unveiled a couple of tactical shifts against the French, shifting centre Rieko Ioane to the wing to make way for Billy Proctor while moving Tupou Vaa'i, who played mostly as a lock, to blindside flanker. But after cycling through his entire squad of fit players against France, Robertson included only one uncapped player in his 36-man Rugby Championship squad -- the big and bulky loose forward Simon Parker. To the chagrin of some rugby pundits at home, Robertson will again be relying on familiar names and veterans, like hooker Codie Taylor and flyhalf Beauden Barrett, who will be 36 during the World Cup. The squad is laden with injured players who will miss a test or two at the start, including loose forward Wallace Sititi, prop Tamaiti Williams and scrumhalf Cameron Roigard. Robertson will hope his squad can avoid further damage on tour against Argentina before the looming showdown with the Springboks. Meanwhile, while top-ranked South Africa will be seeking to keep up their winning ways in the Rugby Championship, their six matches over the next three months will also likely be used for experimentation. Erasmus has made no secret of his desire to freshen up his ageing squad and keep the Springboks on course for a third successive World Cup title, when the next tournament is hosted in 2027. He has suggested that he might prioritise handing vital international experience to a new crop of emerging players ahead of the outcome of the Rugby Championship tests, although given his relentless competitive streak, this is only likely to be in extreme circumstances. There is guaranteed to be more of the out-of-the-box thinking over the next few months that has turned Erasmus into a figure who deeply divides opinion. Some see his tactical manipulations as innovation, others as borderline cheating, but Erasmus' Machiavellian moves are changing some aspects of rugby. None more so than his loading of the replacement bench with forwards to bring on more muscle at vital junctures of the game. The uneven split between substitute forwards and backs has been quickly adopted by other test teams. More recently, South Africa used the tactic of lifting a jumper, usually reserved for line outs, in open play to force a maul and use their power to push their way over the opponent's goalline and score a try. It garnered both applause and derision but is not stopping Erasmus. 'I think one must be constantly thinking of new plans because if you keep doing the same old stuff, you'll never get any advantage,' Erasmus said ahead of this weekend's kick-off of the southern hemisphere tournament. 'We've got one or two other things we want to try out,' he added, creating some suspense for the upcoming clashes. But priority for the Boks is ensuring a potent squad for the World Cup in two years. The majority of the World Cup winners from 2023 are over 30, and Erasmus is conscious that many might be past their peak in 2027. 'It's not easy to predict who is going to be available, and that's why we've been working with an expanded squad of 45 players,' he explained. Recent tests against Italy and Georgia saw several new caps. 'We won't be throwing the old guys away, but we need to give as many chances as we can to up-and-coming talent,' he added. Reuters

Nathan Collins says Ireland ‘in a positive place' under Hallgrimsson as he shares exciting verdict of World Cup hopes
Nathan Collins says Ireland ‘in a positive place' under Hallgrimsson as he shares exciting verdict of World Cup hopes

The Irish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Nathan Collins says Ireland ‘in a positive place' under Hallgrimsson as he shares exciting verdict of World Cup hopes

Ireland begin their qualifying campaign in September WORLD BEATERS Nathan Collins says Ireland 'in a positive place' under Hallgrimsson as he shares exciting verdict of World Cup hopes NATHAN COLLINS does not believe it is "bullish" to suggest Ireland have put themselves in a position to qualify for the World Cup. Heimir Hallgrimsson's men begin their pursuit of qualifying for next summer's competition at home to Hungary on September 6. 2 Nathan Collins believes Ireland are in a good place to qualify for the World Cup Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 Heimir Hallgrimsson and Collins have both been positive about their chances Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile The more truncated qualification campaign will conclude with a trip to Budapest in November, with games home and away to Portugal and Armenia in between. The mood music around the team has changed in recent times, particularly after their two-legged Nations League relegation play-off win over Bulgaria in March. And Collins believes they are in a good place heading into the campaign. He told SunSport: "I think the way it's been since the start of last year, it's been positive for Ireland as a whole. "Our results, the way we've been playing our football, it's been positive. I think we're in a good place overall. "The fact that a lot of players have been playing football before then, a lot of players in a better place this time than potentially last year. "It's all really good and well for Ireland football. "It's exciting times. We've given ourselves a chance and that's all you can do before it kicks off." A common concern for the Republic of Ireland has been the level to which the senior squad are playing. To this end, this past summer has seen some progress, even if the number of Ireland players in the Premier League (12) is down on 2024/25. 'Don't say that on camera' - Nathan Collins' admission about Caoimhin Kelleher's move leaves Heimir in stitches Nathan Collins will be captaining Brentford, managed by ex-Ireland assistant Keith Andrews, and has been joined by Caoimhin Kelleher after his move from Liverpool. Josh Cullen, meanwhile, will be skippering Burnley after they were promoted from the Championship. Seamus Coleman is the Everton club captain, and is joined on the books at the Merseysiders by Mark Travers and Jake O'Brien. There are 47 Irish players at Championship clubs, more than any other country. Quartet Dara O'Shea, Chiedozie Ogbene, Sammie Szmodics and Jack Taylor are seeking a return to the top tier with Ipswich Town after they were relegated last season. Bristol City also have a heavy Irish influence, with Jason Knight leading the pack, while Finn Azaz will be looking to have another strong year with Middlesbrough. Gavin Bazunu is back from a long-term injury and will be Southampton's No1 this season. On the continent, Troy Parrott continues to impress at AZ Alkmaar having scored six goals in his last three games including a brace in their Eredivisie opener win over Groningen last weekend. And Evan Ferguson will be looking to relaunch his career in Serie A after signing for AS Roma on loan. HIGH LEVEL Collins added: "I think it's great that a lot of players are playing at the higher level but it's football. Everything can change. "We could have more next season or we could have less. That's what happens. "Football chops and changes so quick and we can move around so quickly. "The fact that we do have a lot now with a lot of players playing regularly and that's the main thing before we go into this campaign is always a positive. "It's nothing to worry about for the next few years." Heimir Hallgrimsson has been positive about Ireland's chances of getting to the 2026 World Cup. The Boys in Green have not been to the tournament since 2002, while they have not been to a major competition since Euro 2016. Collins shares that positivity and believes he and his gaffer are not being bullish in saying so. He said: "I wouldn't say bullish. I'd say that we all have a similar feeling that it is a good opportunity to get to a World Cup. "It's different for Heimir because his whole job is focused on Ireland. We have the Premier League or Championship to worry about. "When it comes to the round, we're all in a positive place and we're all excited. We all think we've given ourselves an opportunity."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store