Zulte Waregem’s Pape Demba Diop called up to Senegal U20 squad for AFCON | OneFootball

Senegal announced their squad for the upcoming U20 AFCON in Egypt with Zulte Waregem’s Pape Demba Diop included on the list. The 19-year-old from Ouakham has made two appearances for the first team this season, one in the league and the other in the domestic cup. The central midfielder left Diambars FC in Senegal during the summer of 2022 to join Zulte Waregem. The teenager has already been capped twice by the Senegalese U23 team.

While Diop will have a chance to showcase his talents at the tournament, another Senegalese player for Zulte Waregem will not be there. 19-year-old versatile defender and midfielder Modou Tambedou has been suffering with injury recently after an impressive season. It is unlikely that Zulte Waregem would have wanted to let Tambedou leave to play in the tournament anyway, given his importance to their chances of survival this season.

There is a Senegalese influence at the club alongside Diop and Tambedou, with head coach Mbaye Leye having been capped three times by the first team, while they also have Dakar born Alioune Ndour who has yet to receive a call up to the defending African champions.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson