World Cup: Senegalese International Mane To Miss First Games

Senegalese international and Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane will miss the “first games” of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar due to injury, a Senegal Football Federation official was quoted as saying by local media.

Mane, 30, was named last week in Senegal’s 26-man squad for the World Cup, which starts on Sunday, despite picking up an injury to his right fibula playing for Bayern Munich in the run-up to the tournament.

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse said Mane did not require surgery but hopes of him lining up against the Netherlands on November 21st appear slim.

“We will have to rely on playing the first games without Sadio and win without Sadio because we have 25 players apart from Sadio,” official Abdoulaye Sow said.

“No one would have wanted it, but that’s what’s happened to us.”

• Read more: Could Senegalese Footballer Miss The World Cup After Injury?

Mane’s decisive penalties secured the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and World Cup qualification for his country this year.

Senegal will also face hosts Qatar on November 25th and Ecuador on November 29th in Group A of the World Cup.

Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.