AFCON 2025: Worrying string of injuries for Senegal

The Africa Cup of Nations is approaching, bringing with it excitement but also stress. All 24 teams are eagerly awaiting the final matches of their players in club competitions. This is the case for Senegal, which is anxiously awaiting news on five of its players: Assane Diao, Ismaïla Sarr, Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly, Habib Diarra, and Habib Diallo.

 “It's not an ideal situation three weeks before the CAN, as we can see that many of these injured players are on the extended list and we are just a few days away from the publication of the list of 27,”

 said former Senegalese international Babacar Guèye, interviewed by Sport News Africa.

In the same vein, Badara Sarr emphasized the importance of these five players who are struggling with injuries. "I think all the injuries we've seen lately are worrying because these are players who are important to the team. There are potential starters such as Ismaïla Sarr, Habib Diarra, Habib Diallo, who was also making a comeback in the striker hierarchy, and Assane Diao. These are high-potential players who often come off the bench and make a difference, like Sabaly," said the former assistant coach of the Senegal national team.

Not all injuries in the team are alarming, according to the latest news. This is the case for Ismaïla Sarr, who should be fit for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations. However, there is considerable uncertainty surrounding their fitness if they are selected for Africa's premier football tournament.

 "In terms of the coach's game plan, players such as Cheikh Sabaly, who is often used as a substitute, and Assane Diao, who has been impressive in his international appearances, will be missed by the team if they are not 100% fit. Ismaïla Sarr would be a big loss. He is having one of his best seasons, and it would be bad not to have him. It's true that we've recently signed Ibrahima Mbaye, who I think will be part of the squad. But the ideal situation for the Africa Cup of Nations is for the selected players to arrive at least 80% fit," 

said the former FC Metz striker.

For Badara Sarr, the absence of these players would be so glaring that we would have a Lions team that is not as impressive as the one that has been playing well for just over a year under Pape Thiaw. 

“If these players were to miss the Africa Cup of Nations, it wouldn't be the same Senegal team. Ismaïla Sarr is a full-fledged starter who is doing great things for both his club and the national team. He would be missed for his depth, his speed, his transition play, his experience, and his finishing, because he has made a lot of progress in that area.” 

"We'll have to keep our fingers crossed for Ismaïla (Sarr) and Sabaly's medical prognoses. As for Habib (Diallo), we hope he'll be back in time. We can mention Habib Diarra and Assane Diao. But we're clearly not off the hook for the start of preseason training. It's true that we're lucky to have a lot of options in midfield and attack, but for the coach, it's not easy,“ laments Babacar Guèye. Even so, the striker with 25 caps (7 goals) tempers this and suggests that it could be a relief for the coach. ”I think we have a huge squad. If everyone is fit, Pape Thiaw will have a headache when it comes to making his choices. At the forefront of the attack and on the wings, he's going to have to make some choices."

Habib Diarra and Assane Diao, less significant losses

Injured since mid-September with his club Sunderland, Habib Diarra missed the FIFA windows in October and November. The former captain of Racing Club de Strasbourg had carved out a place for himself in a midfield packed with quality individuals. Pape Guèye, Gana Guèye, Pape Matar Sarr, Lamine Camara, Pathé Ciss... The Black Cats midfielder's possible absence seems less alarming. The same goes for Assane Diao, who is recovering from a serious injury that kept him off the pitch from April to October 2025. The 20-year-old winger is once again sidelined after suffering an injury during the Serie A match against Cagliari.