U23 AFCON: The Young Lions kick off their campaign against South Sudan

While the senior national team, the Lions A, prepare to host Sudan on Thursday at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium for the third matchday of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the Senegalese U23 team will already be in action this Wednesday. The Young Lions will face South Sudan in Juba, in the second round of the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Kick-off for this first leg is scheduled for 1:00 PM at the Juba National Stadium.

After boosting their confidence in September with two friendly wins against Gambia, Serigne Saliou Dia's men return to the pitch with a clear objective: to make a successful start to the competition and take a serious option on qualification before the return match.

To meet this challenge, the Senegalese coach has called up 23 players, including 15 playing abroad and 8 from local clubs. He has notably renewed his confidence in several players who participated in the last training camp.

The group has also been strengthened by new arrivals. Ibrahima Cissé, a member of the Gent squad, as well as Serigne Fallou Diouf, the 2023 U17 African champion, are among the new faces called up by Serigne Saliou Dia.

The Young Lions will need to navigate this away match in Juba as best they can before returning to their home crowd for the second leg. This match is scheduled for November 17th at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium in Dakar, starting at 7:00 PM. A favorable result in the first leg would allow the Senegalese to approach this second encounter in the best possible conditions.