Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Senegal XI vs Cape Verde: Confirmed team news, starting lineup, injury and Covid latest for AFCON tie today

Cheikhou Kouyate is suspended for Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations last-16 tie with Cape Verde tonight

Crystal Palace midfielder Kouyate has played every minute for his country in the tournament so far, but picked up two bookings in the group stage and so will miss out with suspension.

Pape Gueye comes in to replace him in midfield, alongside Leicester’s Nampalys Mendy and PSG midfielder Idrissa Gueye.

Both Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly returned to the team for the final group-stage match and should now be permanent fixtures in the side, while the pressure will once again be on Sadio Mane to provide the goals.

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse is confident that his side are on their way to hitting top form in the knockout stages.

“We have worked so hard in the past week, and I am happy the players have regained their full confidence as we face a Cape Verde team in a derby that we want to win,” Cisse said.

“Cape Verde have a wonderful team, but we are more than ready to face them, considering we can always create surprises when we reach this stage.

“The rest days have given us time to focus as a team. We are very motivated to get a win in what will be a very good game.”

Senegal starting XI: E. Mendy; Sarr, Koulibaly, Diallo, Ciss; Pape Gueye, N. Mendy, Gana Gueye; Dia, Diedhiou, Mané

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.