Senegal call-up France U17 striker Mbaye Niang
Last updated on .From the section Football
France youth striker Mbaye Niang has been named in Senegal's squad to face Morocco next month.
The 16-year-old is among four players who have been handed their first call-ups for the friendly in Dakar.
Arsenal defender Armand Traore, who also played for France's youth side, has been given his maiden Senegal call.
Midfielder Moutapha Kasse of local side Niarry-Tally was also named for the first time as well as Spain-based midfielder Pape Maly Diamanka.
Youngster Niang, who played for France U16 and U17 sides, recently declared his intention to play for Senegal instead of the European country.
Despite his declaration, it is not certain if he has applied to Fifa for a nationality switch to enable him play for the West Africans.
The striker, whose parents hail from Senegal, was a revelation for French side Caen last season after scoring three goals in seven appearances but he says he did not have opportunities of playing for the European country.
"I have chosen to play for Senegal as France never gave me a chance. I consider myself as French but Senegal is my origin, so I am happy to play for them," Niang said.
"I am only 16 years old. I really enjoyed my finish to the season but I think I need more experience.
"Training with better players will help me improve and go places."
Traore must also apply for a change in nationality if he wants to play for the Teranga Lions, having represented France at the U19 and U20 levels.
The match against Morocco on 10 August is in preparation for September's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the DR Congo.
Senegal, who lead Group E with 10 points, will qualify for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea if they win the game in Dakar on 3 September.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Khadim Ndiaye (Linguere, Senegal), Bouna Coundoul (New York Red Bulls, United States)
Defenders: Lamine Gassama (Lyon, France), Armand Traore (Arsenal, England), Jacques Faty (Sivasspor, Turkey), Souleymane Diawara (Marseille, France), Pape Malickou Diakhate (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Kader Manganane (Rennes, France), Bayal Sall ( Saint-Etienne, France), Cheikh Mbengue (Toulouse, France)
Midfielders: El Hadj Matar Thioune (Tromso, Norway), Rémi Gomis (Valenciennes, France), Moustapha Kasse (Niary Tally), Mohamed Diamé (Wigan, England), Pape Diop Kouli (Racing Santander, Spain), Pape Maly Diamanka (Rayo Vallecano, Spain)
Strikers: Moussa Sow (Lille, France), Deme Ndiaye Ndiaye (Arles Avignon, France), Diomansy Kamara (Eskisehirspor, Turkey), Papiss Demba Cisse (Freiburg, Germany), Dame Ndoye (FC Copenhagen, Denmark), Mame Biram Diouf (Manchester United, England), Mbaye Niang (Caen, France).
