PSG striker to face Kenya as a Teranga Lion

Senegal are participants in this year’s AFCON. As a preparation for the tournament, the Lions of Teranga organized games with Brazil and Kenya. Harambee Stars will have the opportunity to play against (another) PSG raising star – the 17-year old forward Ibrahim Mbaye. PSG’s first team player decided to change colors after racking 30 appearances for France’s U16, U17, U18, U19 and U20 selections. Off course we will never know if this decision was made due to a general love for his father’s country of origin (his mother has Morocco decent), or due to heavy competition in a fiercely strong French team. He is accompanied by another French player, a Strasbourg defender Mamadou Sarr. Both players were called up by the Senegal coach Pape Thiaw for these two games, and Sarr had a similar path as Mbaye, getting through the France youth ranks before switching alliances.

PSG boss Luis Enrique already showed great faith in young Mbaye. He became the youngest Frenchman (and the sixth youngest player overall) to play in the FIFA Club World Cup this season, and the youngest player to win the UEFA Super Cup at the age of 17 years, 6 months and 19 days (surpassed Ryan Gigs). He also became the youngest Frenchman to play in the Super Cup, and the second-youngest player ever after Ronald de Boer in 1987 to play in the competition. Needles to say, he already has appearances in both Ligue and the Champions League.

"I managed to convince his family. In Senegal, given our values, parents are important, so we had to meet them. We also met with the player to present the project to him. When it's a decision of the heart, it's easier to convince a player. Ibrahim wanted to play for Senegal. When I went to see him, he showed me that he wanted to be there. We know what he can bring to the team" explains Pape Thiaw this huge coop.

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As for Mamadou, he simply wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father Pape Sarr, former midfielder for Senegal, who played for Saint-Etienne, Lens and Paris FC, and notably participated in the 2002 World Cup. Next task for Thiaw? Marseille’s Robinho Vaz.

"I went to watch him in Marseille, it's true. He's a young player with great potential. I know the whole country wants him. From the start, I've been in contact with his family. Talks are ongoing. We'll see how things develop," he told the media.