International: A very “Rouge et Noir” Senegal

On November 17th, Senegal will take on Gabon for a friendly in Saint-Gratien. The selection, published yesterday, has got a strong Breton flavour, with no less than six players wearing or having worn the Stade Rennais shirt in the squad.

First, obviously, Kader Mangane, who earned his stripes as a starter in the Teranga Lions’central defence since a few months, but also goalkeeper Cheick N’Diaye, despite his nearly inexistent playing time at Paris FC where Rennes sent him on loan this season. Former Stade Rennes players have also been called: Jacques Faty, Jackson Mendy and Moussa Sow are all included in the squad.

Less expected is the selection of Papakouli Diop. Trained at Rennes’ Academy, Diop is yet to earn his first cap with Senegal. A member of the 1986 generation (Danzé, Gourcuff, Marveaux, Sow), the midfielder had a rather unusual career so far. Few remember playing a Ligue 1 game with the Stade Rennais: he was involved in the 2006-2007 season’s 1st game week match against Lille (1-2), in what was Pierre Dréossi’s first game in charge.

_Loaned to Tours a few days later, Diop failed to convince, and was eventually released by the Stade Rennais. Six months later, the Senegalese player decided to join the Nastic Tarragona, in Spain, where he played in second division for a year and a half. Recruited by the Racing Santander in 2009 after his good performances, he is playing his second season in the Spanish Liga.