Lazio's Keita Balde Diao gets first Senegal call-up
- Published
Keita Balde Diao gets his first call up to Senegal's senior team.
Lazio's Keita Balde Diao has been called up by Senegal for the first time, for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Niger this month.
The 20-year-old was born in Spain but has never played for them even at youth level, making him eligible to play for the West African country where his parents are from.
Balde Diao was called up for the U-23 Olympic qualifying event in Senegal last year but his Italian club did not release him for the championship.
Southampton's Sadio Man茅 is one of seven English Premier League players named in a 26-man group which includes Pape Ndiaye Souar茅, Idrissa Gana Gu猫ye, Cheikhou Kouyat茅, Henry Saivet, Mame Biram Diouf and Baye Oumar Niasse.
As expected, Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly returns to the squad, but West Ham's Diafra Sakho, fit-again Newcastle striker Papiss Ciss茅, Sunderland's Dame N'Doye and China-based Demba Ba have all been overlooked.
Cisse, 30, last appearance for his country was at the 2015 African Cup of Nations and has been in the international wilderness since Aliou Cisse took over from Alan Giresse as coach in March 2015.
The former international midfielder, 39, has also picked French Ligue 2 leading scorer Famara Diedhiou, who plays for Clermont Foot.
The 23-year-old striker has scored 20 goals in 27 appearances in the French second tier this season.
Group K leaders Senegal will host Niger in Dakar on 26 March before travelling to Niamey three days later in back-to-back 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers.
Teranga Lions have six points after wins over Burundi and Namibia, with only group winners guaranteed automatic qualification to the tournament in Gabon.
Senegal 26-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Abdoulaye Diallo (Rennes, France), Khadim Ndiaye (Horoya AC, Guinea), Pape Seydou Ndiaye (NGB)
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, Italy), Lamine Gassama and Zargo Tour茅 (Lorient, France), Lamine San茅 (Bordeaux, France), Kara Mbodj (Anderlecht, Belgium), Pape Ndiaye Souar茅 (Crystal Palace, England), Boucary Dram茅 (Atalanta, Italy).
Midfielders: Cheikhou Kouyat茅 (West Ham, England), Idrissa Gana Gu猫ye (Aston Villa, England), Issa Sarr (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Cheikh Ndoye (Angers, France), Younnouss Sankar茅 (Guingamp, France), Mohamed Diam茅 (Hull City, England), Pape Alioune Ndiaye (Osmanlispor, Turkey), Amara Baby (Charleroi, Belgium).
Forwards: Sadio Man茅 (Southampton, England), Diao Keita Bald茅 (Lazio, Italy), Henry Saivet (Newcastle), Moussa Konat茅 (FC Sion, Switzerland), Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke City, England), Famara Di茅dhiou (Clermont Foot, France), Baye Oumar Niasse (Everton, England), Cherif Salif San茅 (Casa Sports)
- Published25 November 2015
