By Victor Kanayo
The captain of Senegal’s national team, Sadio Mane will most likely miss the 2022 World Cup after he sustained injury during Bayern Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen Tuesday night. Bayern bashed Bremen 6-1 at the end of the encounter.
However, reports from Germany revealed that Mane might not recover in time to join his team in Qatar when the quadrenial competition kicks off November 20.
Mane joins a growing list of high profile players who have picked up injuries ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
Some of the players include Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante (France), Timo Werner (Germany), Diogo Jota (Portugal), Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands), and Ben Chilwell (England).
Concerns surrounding players’ fitness have been brought to the fore as many leagues around the world are still in play despite some of the players participating at the tournament.
Mane’s injury is said to be related to his tendon and is expected to keep him out for several weeks, L’équipe reports.
He is a key player for African champions Senegal, who face the Dutch in their opening Group A game on November 21 before taking on hosts Qatar, then Ecuador.
Mane’s penalty in the shootout win over Egypt helped Senegal win their first Africa Cup of Nations title earlier this year.
In Group A at World Cup alongside the Netherlands, Ecuador and the host nation, Senegal are a possible last-16 opponent for England, who play in Group B with Wales, USA and Iran.
