Senegal’s Lions of Teranga will have to embark on their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign without their star player Sadio Mane after the Bayern Munich forward lost his race to be declared fit resulting from a recent shin injury.
Despite the announced injury, head coach Aliou Cisse named Mane as part of his World Cup squad with hopes that the star player would recover in time for their opening fixture against Netherlands which is set for the 21st of November.
Manuel Alfonso, the team doctor for the national team said medical examinations show that Mane is improving but not at a rate that is acceptable for him to be declared fit for the world cup.
“Unfortunately, today’s MRI shows us that the improvement is not as favorable as we imaged,” said Alfonso, adding, “Unfortunately we have to withdraw Mane from the World Cup.”
Football analysts say the 30-year-old Bayern Munich forward who was voted second in the Ballon d’Or last month has played a pivotal role for the Lions of Teranga and will solely be missed by the African champions.
