Former Senegal defender Mohamed Adama Sarr believes the Teranga Lions have enough young talent to cope with the absence of several experienced players when they face Sudan in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Senegal will be without key figures including Sadio Mane, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Ismaïla Sarr for Thursday’s Group J meeting with Sudan at the Léopold-Sédar-Senghor Stadium.
But former AC Milan defender Sarr, speaking exclusively to Africafoot, is confident the younger members of the squad can take responsibility as the national team prepares for a gradual change of generation.
He believes Mane and other senior players are approaching the final stages of their international careers, making it important for the next generation to gain experience.
“Normally, in football, things change quickly. Sadio has already done his time, even if he hasn’t completely finished with the national team. He doesn’t have much time left,” Sarr told Africafoot. “I think he’s preparing his exit or that he’s absent for other reasons. In any case, he’ll pass the torch to the new generation for a while.”
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“We have a lot of young talent. They have a lot of qualities, but it takes time to gain experience at the highest level. We’ll have to be patient with them, like we were with Sadio Mané, because from 2012 to 2021, we didn’t win anything. We have to give these young players time to mature, and I know that will come.”
Sarr calls for victory against Sudan
Despite the absence of several established players, Senegal have attacking options capable of making an impact, including Nicolas Jackson, Ibrahim Mbaye, Iliman Ndiaye and Boulaye Dia.
Krepin Diatta is also set to return to the squad, providing another option for the hosts.
Sarr believes Senegal must make home advantage count and secure all three points.
“It’s a must-win match because our forwards are in good form and they’re all playing. It’s a home game to reconnect with the fans. The most important thing is to win and secure the three points,” he added.
Senegal have made a positive start to their qualifying campaign, collecting four points from their opening two matches with one win and one draw.
Sarr says another victory would strengthen their position in Group J and move them closer to securing a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
“This is a crucial international match for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, so we have to win. The team already has one win and one draw. That’s four points from two matches, which isn’t bad. Now, a victory in this home game will be a step towards qualification,” he said.
Senegal will be seeking another positive result against opponents they have historically enjoyed a strong record against.
The fixture also comes amid uncertainty surrounding Senegal’s recent Africa Cup of Nations triumph. Morocco successfully challenged the result, and the dispute is now before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a final decision expected in the coming weeks.
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