Sadio Mané absent from selection: the reason revealed!

Senegal Lions head coach Pape Thiaw unveiled this Tuesday the list of 26 players called up for the friendly matches against Ireland (June 6) and England (June 10). The announcement has sparked major discussion due to the notable absence of Sadio Mané, the iconic captain of the Senegalese national team.

With the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 fast approaching, Senegal continues its preparations without its main attacking asset.

“It’s a personal choice”

The Al Nassr star winger, crowned African champion in 2022, personally requested not to be called up for this gathering. This personal decision was confirmed by the head coach:

“It’s a personal choice that Sadio made. I fully respect it,” Thiaw stated at the press conference. Video:

This temporary withdrawal, which has divided public opinion, could be explained by Mané’s need to recover physically after a demanding season in Saudi Arabia, as well as his desire to momentarily distance himself from the pressure, especially after facing criticism during the previous camp.

So, between misunderstanding and understanding, fans remain divided, but the staff seems intent on prioritizing the player’s well-being.

Amine Jomni |

Editorfr

African football writer and sports journalist covering football news, stories and insights while sharing his expertise with fans across the continent.