Senegal to gamble on Mane fitness, says federation source

Senegal to gamble on Mane fitness, says federation source

Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane will be included in Senegal's World Cup squad a federation source told AFP despite carrying  a leg injury
Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane will be included in Senegal's World Cup squad a federation source told AFP despite carrying a leg injury. Photo: Christof STACHE / AFP
Source: AFP

Sadio Mane will be included in Senegal's squad for the World Cup despite suffering a leg injury this week, a source within the country's football federation told AFP on Thursday.

"One thing is certain, Sadio Mane will be on the list tomorrow," the source said, with coach Aliou Cisse set to announce his squad on Friday.

Mane, who finished second in this year's Ballon d'Or voting behind Karim Benzema, limped off during Bayern Munich's 6-1 win over Werder Bremen on Tuesday.

He was diagnosed with an injury to his right fibula. Bayern said he would undergo further tests in the coming days.

According to the source, Mane "remains calm, he's professional, he knows that injury is part of the job."

The 30-year-old scored the winning penalty as Senegal won their first Africa Cup of Nations title in February, beating Egypt in a shootout in the final.

Read also

Senegal holds breath over talisman Mane making World Cup

PAY ATTENTION: Subscribe to Digital Talk newsletter to receive must-know business stories and succeed BIG!

Mane also converted the decisive spot-kick in the World Cup play-off the following month as Senegal again defeated Egypt on penalties.

He has been ruled out of Bayern's final game before the World Cup against Schalke on Saturday.

The Senegal team doctor, Manuel Afonso, has flown to Munich to assess the extent of Mane's injury.

But Senegal hope their talisman will be fit in time for their opening game of the tournament on November 21 against the Netherlands.

The Lions of Teranga will also take on hosts Qatar and Ecuador in Group A.

Mane, the two-time African player of the year, is pivotal to the African champions' hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.

Senegal President Macky Sall on Wednesday tweeted: "Sadio, I wish you a speedy recovery."

"Sadio, heart of a Lion! All my heart is with you!" he added.

Read also

US livid as basketball star Griner said moved to Russia penal colony

Augustin Senghor, president of the Senegalese football federation, told AFP he was "worried".

"We cross our fingers, we have been worried since we received the news."

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.