Lions of Teranga coach Aliou Cisse has defended the squad he called for this month’s international friendlies against Uzbekistan and Bosnia.
Senegal faces Uzbekistan on March 23 before travelling to Paris to play Bosnia four days later as part of preparations for the World Cup in Russia later this year.
Cisse on Wednesday announced his 30-man squad that had no Anderlecht defensive midfielder Kara Mbodji whose exclusion has sparked uproar from the Teranga fans.
“It is players who does interesting things and especially the one who has a great technical ability that earn place in national team,” said the national coach as quoted by APS.
In his three year tenure at the helm of the Lions of Teranga, Cisse has been known for disregarding pressure from supporters to include players of their preferred choice.
Senegal will begin their World Cup Group H campaign against Poland on 19 June in Moscow before they play Japan on 24 June and then Colombia four days later.
Full Squad for two friendlies:
Goalkeepers: Abdoulaye Diallo (Rennes, France), Khadim Ndiaye (Horoya AC, Guinea), Alfred Gomis (Spal, Italy), Pope Seydou Ndiaye (Jaraaf).
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Naples, Italy), Lamine Gassama (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Moussa Wagué (Kas Eupen, Belgium) Fallou Diagne (Metz, France), Papy Djilobodji (Dijon, France), Armand Traore (Cardiff, England), Youssouf Sabaly (Bordeaux, France), Pope Ndiaye Souaré (Crystal Palace, England).
Midfielders: Pope Alioune Ndiaye (Stoke, England), Sheikh Ndoye (Birmingham, England), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton, England), Sheikh Kouyaté (West Ham, England), Salif Sané (Hannover, Germany), Alfred Ndiaye (Wolverhampton, England), Assane Diousse (Saint-Etienne, France), Henri Saivet (Sivasspor, Turkey).
Attackers; Keita Baldé (Monaco, France), Ismaïla Sarr (Rennes, France), Moussa Sow (Buraspor, Turkey), Moussa Konate (Amiens, France), Santy Ngom (Nantes, France), Sadio Mané (Liverpool, England), Diafra Sakho ( Rennes, France), Mbaye Niang (Torino, Italy), Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke, England), Baye Oumar Niasse (Everton, England).
