Head coach Pape Thiaw has named a star-studded Senegal squad to face Kenya in an international friendly match scheduled for 18 November 2025 in Antalya, Turkey.
The match between Senegal and Kenya comes as part of both teams’ preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures and will mark the first meeting between the two sides in six years.
Leading the list is Senegal’s talisman and former Liverpool forward Sadio Mané who currently plies his trade with Al-Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia.
Mané remains one of Africa’s most decorated players and his presence is expected to provide both experience and leadership in the Teranga Lions’ camp.
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Foreigners only in Senegal squad to face Kenya
Coach Thiaw’s squad features only foreign-based players, showcasing the nation’s vast talent pool across Europe and beyond.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, now with Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, returns to the team after consistent performances at club level. Another key inclusion is Ismaïla Sarr, who has been in fine form for Crystal Palace in the English Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur’s midfield engine Pape Matar Sarr also makes the cut and is expected to play a crucial role in the middle of the park alongside Idrissa Gana Gueye of Everton and Pape Gueye of Villarreal.
The squad also boasts experienced defenders such as Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa) and Moussa Niakhaté (Olympique Lyonnais).
Among the forwards joining Mané are Nicolas Jackson, who is currently on loan at Bayern Munich from Chelsea, Boulaye Dia of Lazi and Iliman Ndiaye now featuring for Everton.
Rising stars like Assane Diao of Italian side Como and Mamadou Lamine Camara of Renaissance de Berkane have also been included, signaling Thiaw’s intent to blend experience with youth.
The friendly will be a special one for Kenya, who last met Senegal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. On that occasion, Senegal triumphed 3-1, with Mané scoring twice.
Kenya, under a new generation of players such as Ryan Ogam, Sylvester Owino, Mansur Okwaro and Aldrine Kibet will now have a chance to measure their progress against one of Africa’s top footballing nations.
The match in Antalya is expected to provide both teams with a valuable opportunity to test tactics and evaluate player combinations ahead of future qualifiers for Kenya as Senegal prepares for AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
With such a strong lineup, Senegal will undoubtedly start as favorites, but Kenya’s youthful energy and growing confidence after an impressive CHAN tournament could make this an intriguing encounter.
Full Senegal squad to face Kenya
Goalkeepers
Édouard Mendy – Al-Ahli SFC (Saudi Arabia)
Mory Diaw – Le Havre AC (France)
Yehvann Diouf – OGC Nice (France)
Defenders
Kalidou Koulibaly – Al-Hilal SFC (Saudi Arabia)
Abdoulaye Seck – Maccabi Haifa (Israel)
Antoine Mendy – OGC Nice (France)
Moussa Niakhaté – Olympique Lyonnais (France)
Ismaïl Jakobs – Galatasaray (Turkey)
El Hadji Malick Diouf – West Ham United (England)
Mamadou Sarr – RC Strasbourg (on loan from Chelsea)
Ilay Camara – RSC Anderlecht (Belgium)
Midfielders
Idrissa Gana Gueye – Everton FC (England)
Pape Gueye – Villarreal CF (Spain)
Rassoul Ndiaye – Le Havre AC (France)
Pape Matar Sarr – Tottenham Hotspur (England)
Pathé Ciss – Rayo Vallecano (Spain)
Mamadou Lamine Camara – Renaissance de Berkane (Morocco)
Forwards
Sadio Mané – Al-Nassr FC (Saudi Arabia)
Boulaye Dia – Lazio (Italy)
Ismaïla Sarr – Crystal Palace (England)
Iliman Ndiaye – Everton FC (England)
Pape Cherif Ndiaye – Samsunspor (Turkey)
Nicolas Jackson – Bayern Munich (on loan from Chelsea)
Ibrahim Mbaye – Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Habib Diallo – FC Metz (France)
Cheikh Sabaly – FC Metz (France)
Assane Diao – Como 1907 (Italy)