Liverpool's Mane in strong Senegal squad

Dakar (AFP) – Senegal will begin plotting their assault on the Africa Cup of Nations when a squad boasting the likes of Liverpool winger Sadio Mane gathers in the capital Dakar from Monday.

Senegal are among the favourites for the January 14-February 5 tournament in Gabon and coach Aliou Cisse has named a strong 23-man squad packed with players from clubs all over Europe, particularly the English Premier League.

Mane will be a big miss for Liverpool in the Premier League title race, while other Senegal stars include forward Keita Balde of Lazio and highly rated central defender Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli. 

Coach Cisse has largely kept faith with the squad that completed their Cup of Nations qualifiers with a perfect six wins from six games.

The highly fancied squad will meet in Dakar from Monday to Thursday before going on to their camp in Congo’s capital Brazzaville, Senegalese media said.

Along with Senegal in Group B are Tunisia, Zimbabwe and Algeria.

Senegal squad:

Goalkeepers: Abdoulaye Diallo (Caykur Rizespor/TUR), Khadim Ndiaye (Horoya AC/GUI), Pape Seydou Ndiaye (NGB Niary Tally/SEN) 

Defenders: Lamine Gassama (Alanyaspor/TUR), Kara Mbodj (Anderlecht/BEL), Zargo Toure (Lorient/ FRA), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli/ITA), Saliou Ciss (Valenciennes/FRA), Cheikh Mbengue (Saint-Etienne/FRA)

Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye (Everton/ENG), Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham/ENG), Cheikh Ndoye (Angers/FRA), Pape Kouly Diop (Espanyol/ESP), Pape Alioune Ndiaye (Osmanlispor/TUR), Mohamed Diame (Newcastle/ENG), Henri Saivet (Saint-Etienne/FRA)

Forwards: Moussa Konate (FC Sion/SUI), Famara Diedhiou (Angers/FRA), Moussa Sow (Fenerbahce/TUR), Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke City/ENG), Sadio Mane (Liverpool/ENG), Keita Balde (Lazio/ITA), Ismaila Sarr (Metz/FRA)