Al-Diriyah striker Clayton Diandy, 20, appears for the first time in coach Patrick Vieira’s squad to face Sudan. Vieira has also acknowledged Jacobs’ international retirement.
Senegal coach Patrick Vieira has unveiled his squad for the double header against Sudan on 12 and 16 November in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Among the eight forwards selected is a new name: Clayton Diandy, 20, an Al-Diriyah striker. A first call-up for the Lions for a player who came through the Espoirs de Guédiawaye academy.
The other notable point concerns Jacobs, 27, a Senegal international, who announced his international retirement after receiving his call-up. The absence of Sadio Mané, the Al-Nassr striker, is down to a family choice.
From U17 to the Lions, a rapid rise
Born in Guinea-Bissau, Clayton Diandy was developed at Espoirs de Guédiawaye before joining Aris Thessaloniki in summer 2024. Loaned to Al-Diriyah, he scored 7 goals and provided 6 assists in 30 appearances, helping the club win promotion to the Saudi first division. According to Seneweb, Al-Diriyah has exercised the purchase option for €4.6 million.
His record in youth national teams also stands out: he played at the 2023 U17 World Cup in Indonesia, where Senegal were knocked out in the round of 16 by France on penalties, then at the 2025 U20 AFCON in Egypt, where Senegal were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Nigeria, according to Wiwsport. This season he has one goal and one assist in the league with Al-Diriyah.
Jacobs hangs up his boots, Vieira accepts reluctantly
According to QQ News, Jacobs received his call-up and then called the coach a few days later to tell him he was ending his international career. “I can say I accepted it with a certain bitterness, because I think he is at the peak of his career,” Vieira told the outlet.
On the Mané case, Vieira detailed the exchange reported by QQ News: “Mané received the call-up. I spoke to him on the phone. He wants to stay with his family because he is expecting good news. He wants to be with his family, I accepted that choice.” The coach specified, according to L’Équipe via Africa Top Sports, that Mané is expecting a happy arrival.
Sudan in their sights
The first leg against Sudan will be played on 12 November 2026, the second on 16 November 2026, according to L’Équipe via Africa Top Sports. Both matches count towards the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
In attack, Senegal will be without Mané for both matches, while Diandy is discovering the senior squad.