Senegal, crowned champions of the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Egypt, are now turning their attention to making an impression on the world stage with the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup starting later this month. Head coach Malick Daf announced his 21-player squad for the competition in Argentina on Thursday and there is one notable name missing. Midfielder Lamine Camara, who joined FC Metz in France’s Ligue 2 after winning the award for Player of the Tournament in Egypt, will not participate to stay with his new club and help Metz in their push for promotion to Ligue 1.
Metz also decided not to release Camara’s fellow AFCON U-20 star Papa Diallo, another influential player in the Senegalese attack. Despite the absences, Daf has a talented group at his disposal. Spanish-based forward Souleymane Faye will lead the attack after scoring two goals in Egypt and has a full season of European football under his belt with CF Talavera of Spain’s third division. Dynamo Kiev playmaker Samba Diallo possesses talent that is well known and the 20-year-old will be eager to show his skill after struggling to earn playing time with the Ukrainian club. Two players from the academy Diallo graduated from, AF Darou Salam, are also options in the attack with Oumar Diouf and Mame Mor Faye set to be in Argentina.
Pape Diop of Belgian club Zulte Waregem and Mamadou Lamine Camara of Morocco’s RS Berkane are the names to watch in the Senegalese midfield. Génération Foot teammates Amidou Diop and Souleymane Basse will occupy the full back positions while fellow domestic-based players Babacar Ndiaye and Seydou Sano remain in the team after forming a partnership in central defense for all six matches in Egypt.
The full list of players is below.
