Football
Ed Dove, Special to ESPN 6y

Sadio Mane headlines Senegal's World Cup squad

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse revealed his 23-man World Cup squad on Thursday during a press conference in Dakar.

Liverpool's Sadio Mane is the standout name in a talented squad that will be hoping to match their previous World Cup showing - a quarter-final finish in 2002.

Mane will be supported by the likes of Ismaila Sarr, M'Baye Niang, Moussa Sow and Diafra Sakho in a talented attacking unit, while there's Premier League presence throughout the team with the likes of Idrissa Gueye (Everton) and West Ham United's Cheikhou Kouyate.

Both Kouyate and Kara Mbodji of Genk have overcome injury scares to make the squad, although there's no place for Younousse Sankhare, Papy Djolibodji, Henri Saivet or Khouma Babacar.

Armand Traore of Cardiff City has also been overlooked despite ending his international absence during the March friendlies.

"It's not a risk to choose 23 Lions," Cisse told journalists. "I also have a reserve list.

"You mustn't forget that I've sent in a list of 35 players, [but] I would like the group to work more serenely.

"If there are any hiccups, I won't hesitate to call up another player."

The Lions of Teranga have been drawn into Group H after finishing top of a qualifying group containing Burkina Faso, South Africa and Cape Verde.

They begin their World Cup campaign against Poland in Moscow on June 19, before travelling to Yekaterinburg to face Japan five days later.

The West Africans conclude their group-stage campaign against Colombia on Samara on June 28 and, should they progress, will face Belgium, England, Tunisia or Panama in the Round of 16.

Goalkeepers: Abdoulaye Diallo (Stade Rennes), Alfred Gomis (SPAL), Khadim Ndiaye (Horoya)

Defenders: Lamine Gassama (Alanyaspor), Saliou Ciss (Valenciennes), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Kara Mbodii (Anderlecht), Youssouf Sabaly (Bordeaux), Salif Sane (Hannover 96), Moussa Wague (Eupen)

Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham United), Alfred Ndiaye (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Badou Ndiaye (Stoke City), Cheikh Ndoye (Birmingham City), Ismaila Sarr (Stade Rennes)

Forwards: Keita Balde (Monaco), Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke City), Moussa Konate (Amiens), Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Mbaye Niang (Torino), Diafra Sakho (Stade Rennes), Moussa Sow (Bursaspor).

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