The Senegalese national team has been dealt a massive blow following the withdrawal of star striker and skipper Sadio Mane from the FIFA World Cup.
Mane has been officially ruled out of the global spectacle that will take place in Qatar and getting underway this Sunday.
The Bayern Munich star, Mane, sustained an injury in the German Bundesliga as they faced Werder Bremen this month.
While the injury was not expected to be such a big deal and lead to Mane’s exclusion from the World Cup, the Senegalese FA has confirmed the developments.
“Unfortunately, today’s (Thursday) MRI shows us the recovery is not as favourable as we hoped and we, unfortunately, resolve to declare Sadio’s withdrawal from the World Cup,” Senegal team doctor Manuel Afonso told reporters per Reuters.
As one of the crucial members of the reigning African champions, Mane’s exclusion means manager Aliou Cisse will have to pin his hopes on players such as seasoned campaigners such as Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye among others.
In addition, the absence of the former Liverpool talisman means the West African’s chances of progressing beyond Group A may be slim.
Senegal is pitted against the Netherlands, Qatar, and Ecuador in Group A – they are expected to play their first match against the Dutch on Monday.
As a proven source of goals for the Lions of Teranga team, Mané is known for scoring vital strikes as he scored the winning penalty at this year’s CAF African Cup of Nations final versus Egypt in Cameroon.
Furthermore, he raised his hand once again when he scored another one in a match that sealed their qualification for the World Cup beating the Egyptians.
@LFC_Timo said:
“I am devastated for him but how do Senegal fans feel now?”
@Bajum commented:
“Big loss but there are 11 players in a team not only one.”
@Takudzwa Chinakidzwa wrote:
“The problem is leagues continued up to a few days before the World Cup. Very strange…Major Leagues were supposed to stop during the last week of October, around three weeks before World Cup as is the traditional case.”
Main Image: Sadio Mane/beIN Sports
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