Starting this Thursday against Sudan on matchday 3 of Group J, Iliman Ndiaye must lead Senegal’s attack without Sadio Mané or Ismaïla Sarr. The Manchester City winger has yet to score in his new colours.
Patrick Vieira, the Lions’ head coach, has made his call. Manchester City winger Iliman Ndiaye is in the Senegal XI that faces Sudan this Thursday, 12 November, at the Stade Léopold-Sédar-Senghor, on matchday 3 of Group J in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The head coach has gone for a 4-4-2, with Nicolas Jackson and Boulaye Dia up front, Ibrahim Mbaye and Iliman Ndiaye on the flanks, and Lamine Camara in midfield, according to foot-africa.com and pressafrik.com.
Captain Kalidou Koulibaly, a centre-back, returns in the middle alongside Moussa Niakhaté, foot-africa.com reports. In a team without Sadio Mané and Ismaïla Sarr, the Lions’ number 13, 26, finds himself on the front line, still chasing his first goal in his new Manchester colours.
A €70 million transfer without a goal
Having joined Manchester City in the summer for €70 million after conquering Everton, as wiwsport.com reports, Iliman Ndiaye has yet to score for the Citizens. The outlet notes that he has hit the post four times since his debut in the Manchester shirt.
With the Lions, he has already scored: in the 5th minute of the 1-0 friendly win over the Comoros on 4 October in Marseille, according to onefootball.com and BeFootball.
A tight group and a favourable history
Second in Group J with 4 points, level with Mozambique, Senegal come off a draw in Mozambique (1-1) and a win in Ethiopia (0-1), according to onefootball.com and BeFootball.
Senegal have never lost to Sudan. In their last seven meetings, they notably won 3-1 in the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on 3 January 2026, and 2-0 in the group stage on 5 September 2025, transfermarkt.es recalls. According to the same source, Iliman Ndiaye is the most valuable player in the match, at €65 million.
A tribute before kick-off
Before kick-off, a tribute will be paid to Édouard Mendy. The match is scheduled for 19:00 GMT (20:00 in Paris).
The reverse fixture, Sudan-Senegal, will take place on 16 November.