Saint-Denis, France – Senegal will be without forward Iliman Ndiaye for their upcoming international friendly against Peru on Saturday at the Stade de France. The announcement came Friday from Senegal national team manager Pape Thiaw, who confirmed the player will likewise miss a second, currently unconfirmed, match.
“Yes, I confirm that Iliman will be forfait – unavailable – for both matches,” Thiaw told reporters. “We prefer not to take any risks and will allow him to return to his club for care.”
The decision to hold Ndiaye out appears precautionary, as Thiaw indicated the team will not seek a replacement within the current 28-man squad. “We have a group of 28 players and others will be able to step in,” he stated.
This friendly serves as preparation for Senegal as they navigate the fallout from the controversial cancellation of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title. Despite the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to award the championship to Morocco, Thiaw remains resolute in his belief that Senegal are the rightful champions.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Thiaw emphatically stated, “We are champions of Africa, it is clear in our minds. Competitions are won on the pitch.” He emphasized the team’s focus remains on future success and winning further trophies. Gana Gueye, also present at the conference, echoed Thiaw’s sentiments, highlighting the hard perform and dedication that earned Senegal their on-field victory. “This result, we did not steal it. It’s the work of an entire country,” Gueye said.
The situation surrounding the 2025 CAN title remains contentious, with Senegal intending to appeal the CAF’s decision to the Tribunal Arbitral du Sport (TAS) – the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Gueye expressed hope that TAS will uphold Senegal’s claim to the championship.
Turning to the immediate task at hand, the friendly against Peru, Thiaw downplayed the importance of the opponent, stating that the primary focus of friendly matches is preparation and evaluation. “The most important thing in friendly matches is not the opponent. Peru has shown good things. We expect a team and a coach that we do not know,” he explained.
While Ndiaye’s absence is a blow, Senegal boasts a deep squad capable of adapting. The match against Peru provides a valuable opportunity for Thiaw to assess his options and fine-tune his team ahead of future competitive fixtures. The Stade de France is set to host the match on Saturday, March 28th, with a 17:00 local time (15:00 UTC) kickoff.
The Senegal national team, under the guidance of manager Pape Thiaw, continues to navigate a complex period, balancing the pursuit of on-field success with the fight to defend their hard-earned title. The friendly against Peru will be a key test as they glance to move forward and reaffirm their status as one of Africa’s leading footballing nations.
Next Up: Senegal will play their second match, opponent to be confirmed, following the Peru friendly. Further updates on squad availability and match details will be released by the Senegalese Football Federation.
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