African football updates: Vieira meets Senegal officials and Messi set for final match

In Senegal, newly appointed national team coach Patrick Vieira met with Minister of Youth and Sports Djirèye Clotilde Coly to discuss his vision for the Lions de la Teranga. Accompanied by FSF President Abdoulaye Fall, Vieira expressed his commitment to using his expertise to improve national team performance and football development. The Minister emphasized the need for cooperation between the ministry and the federation based on accountability and good governance.

In Côte d'Ivoire, Hervé Renard has announced a 25-player squad for the upcoming FIFA window, including eight new players such as Kassoum Ouattara and Malick Yalcouyé, while maintaining veterans like Franck Kessié.

Benin's national team, the Guépards, has also finalized its 25-man squad under coach Gernot Rohr for upcoming matches against Burkina Faso and Mauritania in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. Notably, Benin is scheduled to play a friendly against Argentina on October 6 in Buenos Aires, a match that will serve as the international retirement game for Lionel Messi.