Moussa Niakhate backs new Senegal coach Patrick Vieira to rise up to challenge

[p]The Arsenal legend took over the vacant role following the exit of Pape Thiaw, who was sent packing in the aftermath of the country’s exit at the last-32 stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[/p][p]The Lions of Teranga, who had been managed by Thiaw since December 2024, were beaten by France and Norway in their opening two group games.[/p][p][b]Vieira has already taken over and is preparing the team for their AFCON qualifiers against Mozambique, and Ethiopia.[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/senegal/hOIsJLJr/"]Senegal[/a] will play the Mambas on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/mozambique-2aBNiivt/senegal-hOIsJLJr/?mid=OKqq6xU0"]September 25th in Maputo[/a], followed by another match against Ethiopia on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/ethiopia-4AGUPqC2/senegal-hOIsJLJr/?mid=hfQ8McEs"]September 29th in Bahir Dar[/a].[/p][h2]‘Vieira will bring continuity’[/h2][p][b]“I’m very happy to have him here. But I have to say a few words about Pape Thiaw,”[/b] opened up [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/niakhate-moussa/tdnibGHH/"]Niakhate[/a] when asked about the arrival of Vieira by Ligue 1+ as quoted by Wiw Sport.[/p][p]“Before talking about the new coach, I’d like to talk about the former one with whom we won this AFCON (2025) and achieved incredible things.[/p][p][b]“I want to thank him and his staff for everything they did for Senegalese football. I think Vieira will bring continuity to what Pape Thiaw brought.[/b][/p][p]“And we’ll be there to continue winning titles and taking Senegal as far as possible. That starts with the next international break and the AFCON coming up next summer.”[/p][p]On whether he had talked to the former France midfielder following his appointment, Niakhate replied: [b]“I haven’t had the chance to speak with him yet, but that will happen very soon, since we’re going to be together for international duty.[/b][/p][embed guid="77e0699e-61ed-4623-95bf-695a6ed6f86a" url="https://x.com/GaindeYi/status/2102147784744812755" social-type="twitter" /][p]“His signing was officially announced this week (Friday); he arrived very late. So, I haven’t had the time yet. It’s a good thing (Vieira’s arrival).[/p][p][b]“He was already an incredible player. He could have played in our era, because he was already ahead of his time. As a coach, he’s going to bring us what he knows how to do, what he learned at Strasbourg, Nice, and Crystal Palace.”[/b][/p][p]Vieira has already unveiled his 29-man Senegal squad that will participate in the upcoming (AFCON) qualifiers including a friendly against Comoros in October.[/p][p]Sadio Mane is among the players missing from Vieira’s squad, while Kalidou Koulibaly and Malang Sarr were included.[/p][h2]‘2022 will always remain special’[/h2][p]Meanwhile, retired [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mendy-edouard/8zpLkf6p/"]Edouard Mendy[/a] has revealed his best moments while playing for the Lions of Teranga.[/p][p][b]“The first AFCON and the penalty shootout (against Egypt in 2022) that secured the title will always hold a special place in our hearts. I think it will be the same for all Senegalese people,” [/b]said Mendy.[/p][p]“It was the first time we had achieved continental glory: a first, and we know that every first time brings an unparalleled feeling.[/p][p][b]“For me, it will always be the best memory of my life as a national team footballer, without taking anything away from our AFCON in Morocco, which was very difficult, but earned through a lot of experience.[/b][/p][p]“The various competitions we faced allowed us to arrive in Morocco with a solid foundation and perform as a result. But 2022 will always remain special.”[/p][embed guid="76f839d6-5be1-4fff-a114-bb65c4773fd7" url="https://x.com/GaindeYi/status/2102069531170537763" social-type="twitter" /][p]In the absence of Mendy, Vieira named four goalkeepers including Yehvann Diouf (OGC Nice), Demba Thiam (AC Monza), Mamour Ndiaye (AS Saint-Etienne), and Mory Diaw (Al-Shabab).[/p][h2]Senegal squad[/h2][p][b]Goalkeepers[/b]: Yehvann Diouf (OGC Nice), Demba Thiam (AC Monza), Mamour Ndiaye (AS Saint-Etienne), Mory Diaw (Al-Shabab).[/p][p][b]Defenders[/b]: Mamadou Sarr (Real Sociedad), Moussa Niakhate (OL), Sadibou Sane (AS Monaco), Nobel Mendy (Hull City), Malang Sarr (NEOM), El Hadji Malick Diouf (Brentford), Arouna Sangante (FC Seville), Lamine Sy (AJ Auxerre), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal).[/p][p][b]Midfielders[/b]: Lamine Camara (AS Monaco), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Pape Matar Sarr (Juventus), Rassoul Ndiaye (Le Havre AC), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Al-Diriyah), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Bayern).[/p][p][b]Forwards[/b]: Nicolas Jackson (Aston Villa), Ibrahim Mbaye (Aston Villa), Assane Diao (Como), Mamadou Diakhon (Club Bruges), Boulaye Dia (Stade Rennais), Abdallah Sima (RC Lens), Iliman Ndiaye (Manchester City), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), Pape Moussa Fall (FC Metz), Issa Soumare (Stade Rennais).[/p][image alt="Dennis Mabuka" id="009ee08a-c012-41bf-bdae-acba9770ea19" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="edbada5a-638d-4710-90b2-4263b693e584" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]