Weekend for Senegalese players abroad: Abdallah Sima decisive with Lens, Mamadou Sarr falters with Real Sociedad

With the start of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers just days away, several Senegalese internationals have impressed on European and Saudi Arabian pitches. In France, Lamine Camara and Abdallah Sima have been delivering consistently high-level performances, while in Saudi Arabia, Kalidou Koulibaly is rediscovering his form. In Spain, however, Mamadou Sarr had a difficult evening with Real Sociedad.

In France, on matchday 4, Abdallah Sima scored, securing a valuable point for Lens in a 2-2 draw away to Le Mans. Monaco, with Lamine Camara and Sadibou Sané in the lineup, also earned a draw, this time against Strasbourg, featuring Pape Demba Diop (1-1). At Roazhon Park, Boulaye Dia, who came on in the 78th minute, contributed to Stade Rennais' 1-0 victory over Marseille.

Nice, with Yehvann Diouf in the lineup, lost 1-0 away to Auxerre. Antoine Mendy was understandably absent due to a serious injury. Le Havre, without their captain Rassoul Ndiaye, were held to a 0-0 draw by Angers. In Paris, Lyon, with Moussa Niakhaté in the lineup, drew 0-0 against Paris FC, with Moustapha Mbow remaining on the bench.

In England , on matchday 4, Brentford, with El Hadji Malick Diouf in the starting lineup, earned a point away at Bournemouth (2-2). The Senegalese left-back took the opportunity to make his debut for his new club. Hull City, with Nobel Mendy in the starting eleven, held Chelsea to a draw (2-2).

Nicolas Jackson, who started before being substituted at halftime, and Ibrahim Mbaye, who came on in the 63rd minute, were unable to prevent Aston Villa's defeat at home to Nottingham Forest (1-2). Meanwhile, Iliman Ndiaye, who entered the game in the 46th minute, contributed to Manchester City's victory in the derby against Manchester United (1-0).

In Italy, for the fourth matchday, Pape Matar Sarr's Juventus lost to Sassuolo (3-2). Coming on in the 71st minute, the Senegalese midfielder played his first minutes in Serie A. Como, with Assane Diao, face Abdoulaye Niakhaté Ndiaye's Parma on Monday, while Idrissa Gueye's Udinese take on Inter Milan.

In Spain , for Matchday 5, Sevilla FC, without the suspended Arouna Sanganté, defeated Valencia 1-0. Rayo Vallecano, featuring Pathé Ciss, suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Real Madrid (4-1). Real Sociedad, with Mamadou Sarr starting in central defense, were thrashed 3-0 at home by Atlético Madrid. Villarreal, with Pape Gueye and Alassane Diatta, play Real Betis on Monday.

In Belgium , where the sixth round of matches was played, Club Brugge, with Mamadou Diakhon in their ranks, defeated Antwerp 3-1. The young Senegalese striker came on as a late substitute in the 87th minute. Anderlecht, still without the injured Ilay Camara, secured a 1-0 victory away at Mechelen.

Westerlo, with Pape Daouda Diong coming on in the 72nd minute, defeated Standard Liège 4-2. The young Senegalese midfielder proved decisive, scoring his team's third goal in the 77th minute.

In Turkey , for the 5th day, Galatasaray, with Ismaïl Jakobs coming on in the 86th minute, beat Kocaelispor (1-0).

In Germany , for Matchday 5, Bara Sapoko Ndiaye was absent from the matchday squad for Bayern Munich's 2-1 victory away to newly promoted Elversberg. The same situation applied to Moussa Ndiaye, who was absent for Werder Bremen's 1-1 draw away to Cologne.

In Saudi Arabia , for the 7th matchday, Kalidou Koulibaly is back in form with Al-Hilal, who went and won convincingly on the pitch of Al-Taawoun (0-6).

Sadio Mané and Al-Nassr were held to a 1-1 draw by Al-Khaleej. Al-Ahli, featuring recently retired international Édouard Mendy, defeated Al-Hazem 3-1. Al-Faisaly, with Abdoulaye Seck in the lineup, lost 3-1 at home to Al-Ittihad, featuring Dion Lopy.

Al-Shabab, with their Senegalese goalkeeper Mory Diaw, were held to a 0-0 draw by Al-Fayha. Abha, without Abdou Diallo, earned a point away at Diriyah, featuring Gana Gueye (1-1). Finally, Neom, with Malang Sarr in the starting lineup, defeated Al-Fateh 4-2.