Senegal recall "experienced" Demba Ba for Ghana friendly

Demba Ba

Besiktas striker Demba Ba has been recalled to the Senegal squad by new Teranga Lions coach Aliou Cisse.

Ba, the former Newcastle and Chelsea forward, has not played for his country since a World Cup qualifier in 2013.

He was overlooked by former coach Alain Giresse for the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

Giresse left his post after Senegal's early exit at the Nations Cup, when they were knocked out at the group stages.

At a news conference on Friday, where Aliou Cisse was officially introduced to the media, Senegal officials explained Ba's return to the national squad.

"His [Ba's] return is logical, he is an experienced Senegalese player who has a background with the national team."

Cisse included Ba in a list of 28 players for a friendly against Ghana in France next weekend.

However there is no room for West Ham striker Diafra Sakho in Cisse's first squad.

Sakho controversially withdrew from Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations squad with a back injury but scored 18 days later in an FA Cup match for West Ham.

Cisse also gave chances to Le Havre's French-born goalkeeper Abdoulaye Diallo, Barcelona defender Diawandou Diagne, Fiorentina striker Khouma Babacar and midfielder Cheikh N'Doye, who plays for Créteil in France's second division.