Cheikhou Kouyate is suspended for Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations last-16 tie with Cape Verde tonight
Crystal Palace midfielder Kouyate has played every minute for his country in the tournament so far, but picked up two bookings in the group stage and so will miss out with suspension.
Pape Gueye comes in to replace him in midfield, alongside Leicester’s Nampalys Mendy and PSG midfielder Idrissa Gueye.
Both Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly returned to the team for the final group-stage match and should now be permanent fixtures in the side, while the pressure will once again be on Sadio Mane to provide the goals.
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse is confident that his side are on their way to hitting top form in the knockout stages.
“We have worked so hard in the past week, and I am happy the players have regained their full confidence as we face a Cape Verde team in a derby that we want to win,” Cisse said.
“Cape Verde have a wonderful team, but we are more than ready to face them, considering we can always create surprises when we reach this stage.
“The rest days have given us time to focus as a team. We are very motivated to get a win in what will be a very good game.”
Senegal starting XI: E. Mendy; Sarr, Koulibaly, Diallo, Ciss; Pape Gueye, N. Mendy, Gana Gueye; Dia, Diedhiou, Mané
