Senegal coach keeps Ba at arm's length

Demba Ba

Demba Ba has been left out of Senegal's squad to face Ivory Coast this month.

The Teranga Lions face the Elephants in the return leg of their World Cup play-off in neutral Casablanca on 16 November.

Despite a 3-1 deficit from the first leg, coach Alain Giresse has opted to exclude the Chelsea striker again.

Ba is again a victim of Frenchman Giresse's policy of choosing only players regularly picked by their respective teams.

The former Newcastle forward has struggled for game time under Jose Mourinho, with the Portuguese mainly using him as a substitute.

Giresse has made three changes from his last squad, recalling former Manchester United striker Mame Birame Diouf and Levante midfielder Pape Kouly Diop.

Defender Zarco Toure, who plays for French Ligue 2 side Le Havre, has also been drafted in as Giresse seeks a formula to stop the Ivorians from going to Brazil next year.

Senegal will play their 'home' match in the Moroccan city because they are banned from using their National stadium in Dakar.

The sanction was imposed by the Confederation of African Football after Senegalese fans rioted during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ivory Coast in October 2012, forcing the match to be abandoned with 15 minutes remaining.

Since the year-long ban came into effect, Senegal have played 'home' matches in Guinea and Morocco.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Bouna Coundoul, Cheikh Tidiane Ndiaye, Issa Ndoye

Defenders: Zarco Toure, Issa Cissokho, Lamine Sane, Cheikhou Kouyate, Kara Mbodji, Papy Djilobodji, Cheikh Mbengue, Pape Ndiaye Souare

Midfielders: Mohamed Diame, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Salif Sane, Alfred Ndiaye, Stephane Badji, Pape Kouly Diop

Strikers: Sadio Mane, Moussa Sow, Dame Ndoye, Papiss Demba Cisse, Mame Birame Diouf, Henry Saivet