World Cup: Sadio Mane’s package makes Senegal cry

The fears were more than justified. And hope flew away for the whole nation. Sadio Mane, who was injured a few weeks ago, will not travel to Qatar. Senegal’s star striker withdrew this Thursday for the World Cup. This was officially announced by his federation.

“Unfortunately, today’s (Thursday) MRI shows us that the development is not as favorable as we imagined, and we regrettably make the decision to announce Sadio’s withdrawal from the World Championships,” said selection doctor Manuel Afonso, whose words are quoted on Senegal’s Twitter account. The doctor explained that “it is necessary to appoint an operation very soon” in order to operate on the player.

After an injury to the right fibula, which occurred on November 8 in the composition of his club Bayern during the victory over Werder Bremen (6:1), contact with Werder defender Amos Pieper did everything to cure the N. 10 African. Champions. Afonso traveled to Munich on November 10 and 11 to examine the player and again consult MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). The decision was made to have another MRI on Thursday.

“We were ready from the moment the injury was announced,” FSF president Augustin Senghor told AFP. “We held on to this new MRI. Now we know that his injury is confirmed, everyone agrees that his health is more important. How did the team take the news? Zen,” the leader replied with some hesitation.

The November 8 injury was taken as a real shock in Dakar, President Maki Sall even tweeted: “Sadio, I wish you a speedy recovery (…) As I told you: Sadio, heart of a lion! With all my heart to you! Be healthy ! N.10 is an idol in Senegal. During the Ballon d’Or, he received the new Socrates Prize, which is awarded to a player for his actions for the benefit of society. Manet built a school and a hospital in his village of Bambali in Casamance.

The injury did not spare. “Ballonbuwa”, the “magician of balloons” as he is called in Senegal, and his entourage first considered losing before finding hope. After the visit of the selection doctor, it was decided on November 10 to include him in the list of 26 players selected for the World Cup.

Replacement will be scheduled by Sunday

Coach Aliou Cisse must now find a replacement for him. He has until Sunday, the day before Senegal takes part in the competition against the Netherlands. Is that Senegal, which is among the outsiders of the competition, has lost its leader. One who led his people to their first African title last February.

Thus, the list of players forced to withdraw due to injury is growing after Frenchmen Mike Maignan (calves), Prenel Kimpembe (Achilles tendon), Paul Pogba (knee), Ngolo Kante (hamstrings) and Christopher Nkunku (knee). . The English defense is also weakened by two hooks from Ben Chilwell (thigh) and Rhys James (knee). Brazil’s Diego Carlos (Achilles), Portugal’s Diogo Jota (calves), Argentina’s Giovanni Lo Celso (hamstrings) and Germany’s Timo Werner (ankle) round out the list.