Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye has joined the national team in Maputo but will not feature in Friday’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique.
The Manchester City player arrived in the Senegal camp on Thursday evening after being the final player selected by new head coach Patrick Vieira for the squad.
Ndiaye’s arrival completes Senegal’s squad ahead of Vieira’s first competitive match in charge of the Lions of Teranga.
However, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final means Ndiaye is suspended for Senegal’s first two matches in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
His presence in Maputo will therefore be focused on preparations for the rest of the international camp rather than Friday’s Group J fixture.
Senegal will also be without Ismaïla Sarr, who is serving a suspension.
The absence of Ndiaye and Sarr leaves Vieira without two attacking options as he begins his tenure as Senegal coach.
The two players will have to watch from the sidelines when Senegal face Mozambique at 13:00 GMT on Friday.
Ndiaye’s late arrival had completed the Senegalese squad in Maputo, but his suspension means Vieira’s first official match will be played without one of the team’s recently called-up attacking options.
Vieira takes charge of Senegal at the start of a new era for the national team, with the former midfielder beginning his tenure with an away fixture.
Senegal’s home venues are currently unavailable or facing scheduling conflicts, meaning the Lions will begin their qualifying campaign on the road.
The match in Maputo is the first of Senegal’s Group J campaign as they seek to begin their bid to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
For Vieira, it will also mark the start of his competitive work with the national team after taking charge of the Lions of Teranga.
The French-Senegalese coach will have to manage his first official assignment without Ndiaye and Sarr, with both players suspended.
Ndiaye’s suspension is particularly significant because it prevents the Manchester City forward from making his contribution on the pitch against Mozambique despite joining the squad.
Instead, his return to the group allows him to prepare with his international team-mates for the remainder of the training camp and the matches that follow.
Senegal’s squad is now complete in Maputo following Ndiaye’s arrival, leaving Vieira to concentrate on preparations for the Group J opener.
Mozambique will provide the opposition on Friday, with kick-off scheduled for 13:00 GMT.
The fixture will give Vieira his first competitive opportunity to begin shaping his Senegal side, although his attacking options will be reduced by the suspensions of Ndiaye and Sarr.
Senegal’s 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign therefore begins with a new coach, an away fixture and two suspended attacking players.
Ndiaye will be present with the squad but will remain unavailable for the match as Senegal begin their Group J campaign in Maputo.
