Ballon d’Or runner-up Despite a recent injury, Sadio Mane was included in Senegal coach Aliou Cisse’s World Cup roster on Friday.
Senegal’s 2002 World Cup captain Cisse expressed optimism that the Bayern Munich attacker’s condition will improve in the coming weeks and stated he was “very optimistic” that no surgery would be necessary for the injury.
Following his limping off during Bayern‘s 6-1 victory over Werder Bremen on Tuesday, Mane’s participation in the competition was in question.
The 30-year-old was identified as having a right fibula injury and will go through more testing.
According to Cisse, “I preferred to retain him in the gang.”
Sadio Mane is a crucial member of our team, therefore it’s necessary to keep an eye on his injury in the hopes that things will improve in two to three weeks. But we have a lot of hope.
We promise to provide Sadio Mane with all the resources required for his recovery.
Senegal, the reigning African champions, have serious concerns over Mane’s fitness. State president Macky Sall tweeted on Wednesday: “Sadio, heart of a Lion! My heart is completely with you!
Cisse acknowledged that the continent would suffer a great loss if the talisman were to disappear.
He claimed that losing Sadio Mane was difficult for the team, the coach, and even African football.
“We don’t want to consider it, but we must must be ready in the event that Sadio Mane is not present.
“For the time being, we still have time. Even though I’m trying to mentally prepare for Sadio Mane’s absence, I don’t want to discuss it.
Abdou Diallo, another player who has lately missed game time owing to injury, as well as Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye and Chelsea duo Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly are also included in the team with Mane, who has scored 33 goals in 92 international matches.
Saliou Ciss, a left back who is now without a club, is not included; instead, Fode Ballo-Toure or Ismail Jakobs are the available possibilities.
“I picked a group that can handle the demands of the contest. In 2018 and via our continental championships, we gained experience. We are travelling to Qatar with big expectations but also an awareness of our strengths.”
