Fri 29 December 2023, 14:30
Tottenham HotspurPape Matar Sarr has been called up by Senegal for the defence of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title next month.
The midfielder was in the squad that clinched the trophy for the first time with a 4-2 victory on penalties against Egypt in the last edition in February, 2022 and is part of the holders' 27-man roster for the 34th edition in Ivory Coast, which runs from 13 January until 11 February 2024.
The 2023 AFCON - officially named as such even though the finals are being held in 2024 - sees Senegal in Group C alongside Cameroon, Gambia and Guinea with the top two teams and the four best-ranked third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stages.
Making 15 starts from his 17 Premier League appearances so far this term, the 21-year-old heads into the AFCON finals with 18 caps to his name and scored his first senior international goal against South Sudan in their opening qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in November.
He was also nominated alongside Yves Bissouma for the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Player of the Year award for 2023, recognition for his performances from September, 2022, to November, 2023.
Pape's campaign with the Teranga Lions begins against Gambia on Monday 15 January (kick-off 2pm UK), they then face Cameroon four days later (kick-off 5pm UK) before taking on Guinea in the final group stage game on Tuesday 23 January (kick-off 5pm UK).
