Struck down by a groin problem, Ismaïla Sarr is “not in a position to play” according to his Crystal Palace coach, Pierre Sage. His presence with Senegal against Sudan in November looks very much in doubt.
The news broke on Thursday 29 October and it will not reassure the Lions of Teranga. Pierre Sage, the Crystal Palace coach, indicated that Ismaïla Sarr had suffered a groin relapse and that the Senegalese international winger is “not in a position to play”, reports Afrique Sur 7. On the subject of his return, the manager was cautious: “I think after the international break.”
The discomfort had been lingering since the start of the 2026-2027 season. The pain returned in recent days, putting the player in a delicate situation ahead of an international gathering. Senegal are due to face Sudan on 12 and 16 November 2026, for matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
A Vieira squad list still up in the air
Head coach Patrick Vieira is due to unveil his second squad list next week. He has therefore not yet settled the case of his winger, and no official withdrawal has been announced at this stage. Pierre Sage’s comments nonetheless point to an unfavourable scenario, unless there is a turnaround before the squad is announced.
For both Crystal Palace and Senegal, the relapse comes at a bad time. Pierre Sage speaks of a return after the international break, without a precise date, which leaves his situation shrouded in uncertainty.
An awaited return, a suspension served
The Senegalese context makes this potential absence all the more sensitive. CAF had suspended Ismaïla Sarr for two matches, like Iliman Ndiaye, because of his attitude towards the referee in the final against Morocco. The winger had missed the matches against Mozambique and Ethiopia, then the friendly against the Comoros through injury. His return to the squad was therefore awaited.
Iliman Ndiaye, for his part, has served his suspension and should return to Vieira’s list. The international striker Sadio Mané, absent from the first list because of a physical problem, had been announced for the following gathering as early as 18 September, according to Afrique Sur 7.
On the numbers front, the Crystal Palace winger weighs heavily with the Lions: 88 caps, 23 goals and 12 assists. Losing him for two qualifying matches would be no small matter.
A return to Senghor, points to defend
The Lions began these qualifiers with a draw in Mozambique (1-1, goal from Nicolas Jackson) on 25 September, before a victory in Ethiopia (0-1, goal from Ibrahim Mbaye). Senegal, now coached by Patrick Vieira, will play at home again on 12 November at the Léopold Sédar Senghor stadium, renovated and with a capacity of 40,000, a first since 31 March 2026 against Gambia, according to opera.news / football.fr.
Eighteenth in the FIFA ranking, the national team must avoid dropping points, with the final decision scheduled for March against Mozambique and Ethiopia, according to opera.news. The CAS must also still rule on the 2025 AFCON title, Senegal having been stripped of it in favour of Morocco by CAF.
The return match against Sudan is scheduled for 15 or 16 November 2026.