The Teranga Lions of Senegal will play against the Scorpions of Gambia in an international friendly on tuesday in a game expected to be highly competitive.
Senegal paraded its second AFCON trophy which is under controversy at Stade de Paris when they beat Peru 2-0 in preparation of their Tuesday encounter against the scorpions of the Gambia.
The friendly encounters serves as part of preparations for the impending 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers slated for June in US, Canada and Mexico.
The neighbors have met twice recently, with the first encounter ending 1-1 before Senegal beat the scorpions 3-0 in Ivory coast.
The match at Stade Abdoulaye Wade proves to be decisive for both west African countries with Senegal unbeaten in 9 games while Gambia have come out on top of every big encounter in the continent especially when placed as underdogs.
Both nations lost Illman Ndiaye and Ebou Adams to late injuries which has seen the premier league duo set to missed this encounter. Serbia based midfielder Mahmud Bajo has replaced Portsmouth midfielder Ebou Adams. Alieu Fadera and Ali Sowe all will missed the tie due to injury while Stockport County player of the month for February Adama Sidibeh is committed to club has also missed the tie. Salieu Drammeh of Lillestrom earns his first callup.
Senegal on the end have handed three new call-ups to Nobel Mendy, Antoine Mendy and Belgium based forward Mamadou Diakhon. Inform Bamba Dieng and Assan Diao of Como have returned to the squad for the Terenga lions.
Musa Barrow who returned from injury is likely to start from the bench, the only third time in his national career, while Sadio Mane is ruled out because of injury.
Papa Thiaw is expected to ring changes to the team that defeated Peru on Tuesday, Bamba Dieng, Assan Diao and Diakhton are all expected to start. Pathe Ciss, Pape Matar Sarr and Habib Diarra are poised to occupy the midfield. Nice goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf is expected to be handed his second cap in between the sticks.
The Gambia is more likely to go with a 3-4-3 formation Baboucarr Gaye on goal, while Omar Colley, Sheriff Sinyan and Alagie Saine plays a back three, wingbacks Sainey Ceesay and Joseph Ceesay while in midfield we have the double pivot of Abubacarr Barry and Mouhamadou Drammeh. Upfront Abdoulie Manneh, Yankuba Minteh and Abdoulie Ceesay.
As the ambience and fever draws closer towards the game , one thing is certain , Senegal needs this game morethan the Gambia but it will be closely contested game from the first minute.
The Game offers both coaches an opportunity to assess new players and reshape their team.
