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Senegal coach Aliou Cisse retained the services of 16 players who won the World Cup last year in his initial squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Defender Kara Mbodji, who participated in the World Cup but did not play, is one of the players not to be missed on Cisse's list of 25 players.
The 29 year old had a difficult season after a loan period in a French club that was not planned and saw him return to his Belgian camp, Anderlecht.
"His return to Anderlecht allowed him to play but his club did not have a great season, it was difficult for them," said Cissé.
"Kara Mbodj is an important part of this national team, but Kara's troubles go back a year ago after a serious knee injury.
"I followed him until the last moment, when I decided not to join the team, but I'm sure and he will come back much stronger."
Cisse also said that he had a lot of players vying for the Mbodji post. "As for all the teams, the absentees allow us to test the other players and Salif Sane is established with Kalidou Koulibaly".
"Cheikhou Kouyate and Pape Abdou Cissa have shown very great things, so I am now with four central defenders, so the competition is tough.
"Everyone is able to replace each other and everyone is able to play, I think they also deserve their selection because they have competed all season."
Mbodji was philosophical about his omission.
"It's not because he did not call me that I have something to say about him (Cissé)," Mbodji said.
"Many have said that he should not take me to the World Cup and he did not choose me, I would have understood.
"There is no problem between Aliou Cissé and I. We have known each other since 2012 and he cares about me.
Among the other players who went to the World Cup, goalkeeper Horoya Khadim Ndiaye is missing after suffering a serious leg fracture in the Champions League this year, while striker Moussa Sow has retired .
The other absentees are former striker Diafra Sakho, Mame Biram Diouf, Sheikh Ndoye and Adama Mbengue.
Henri Saivet, the former offensive midfielder from Newcastle, has not played since March 2018, after his good season with the Turkish club Bursaspor. Senegal again has a lot of strength in attack; The Turkish club Mbaye Diagne has scored 30 goals in the league this season. Mbaye Niang was the top scorer for the French club Rennes, while Sadio Mane of Liverpool took part in the Golden Boot of the Premier League.
Senegal is part of Group C with Algeria, Kenya and Tanzania.
Senegal provisional team:
Goalkeepers: Abdoulaye Diallo (Rennes, France), Alfred Gomis (SPAL, Italy), Edouard Mendy (Reims, France)
defenders Kalidou Koulibaly (Naples, Italy), Moussa Wague (Barcelona, Spain), Pope Abdou Cissé (Olympiakos, Greece), Salif Sane (Schalke, Germany), Youssouf Sabaly (Bordeaux, France), Lamine Gbadama (Goztepe, Turkey), Saliou Ciss (Valenciennes, France), Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace, England)Midfielders: Alfred Ndiaye (Malaga, Spain), Santy Ngom (Nancy, France), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton, England), Keprin Diatta (Club Brugge, Belgium), Badou Ndiaye (Galatasaray, Turkey), Sidy Sarr (Lorient, France) , Henri Saivet (Bursaspor, Turkey)
Before: Ismaila Sarr (Rennes, France), Keita Balde (Inter Milan, Italy), Mbaye Niang (Rennes, France), Moussa Konate (Amiens, France), Mbaye Diagne (Galatasaray, Turkey), Sada Thioub (Nimes, France), Sadio Mane (Liverpool, England)
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