Sadio Mane is set to feature in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this month despite injury scare as Senegal is reportedly set to involve witch Doctor.
According to FIFA’s Senegalese secretary general, Senegal would incredibly turn to witch doctors to heal Sadio Mane’s injuries in an effort to beat him to the World Cup in Qatar.
Despite sustaining a leg injury this week, Mane is expected to be named to Senegal’s World Cup roster, a source within the national football association told AFP on Thursday, despite early concerns that he would miss the competition.
However, Senegalese football administrator, Fatma Samoura, the No. 2 at the body that governs world football, has now said that the nation will use drastic measures to make sure he is present, admitting they are not even sure if the unconventional strategy will work but that they are hoping for “miracles.”
‘We are going to use witch doctors,’ she told Europe 1. ‘I don’t know (if they’re effective) but in this instance, we’re going to use them anyway. We are hoping for miracles. He has to be there!’
Despite hobbling out of Bayern Munich’s 6-1 victory over Werder Bremen this week, which prompted rumours that he would be disqualified from the competition, a source told AFP that the former Liverpool player will be included.
“One thing is certain, Sadio Mane will be on the list tomorrow,” according to the source, coach Aliou Cisse will reveal his team on Friday.
With fewer than two weeks until the start of the World Cup, Mane, who came in second place in this year’s Ballon d’Or voting behind Karim Benzema, was brought off after just 20 minutes on Tuesday. This raised serious concerns about his health for Qatar.
His right fibula had been injured, according to the diagnosis. He would go through more testing, according to Bayern, in the upcoming days.
Mane “remains calm, he’s professional, and he realizes that injury is part of the job,” the source claimed.
He will not play in Bayern’s last match before the World Cup on Saturday against Schalke.
Manuel Afonso, the team physician for Senegal, has flown to Munich to determine the severity of Mane’s injuries.
However, Senegal is hoping that their talisman will be ready for their match against the Netherlands on November 21. On Friday morning, they will reveal their official lineup.
In Group A, the Lions of Teranga will also compete against the hosts Qatar and Ecuador.
The two-time African player of the year, Mane, is essential to the chances of the African champions making it to the knockout rounds.
Sadio Mane
Senegalese professional footballer Sadio Mané (born 10 April 1992) plays forward for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the Senegal national team.
He is renowned for his pushing, dribbling, and pace. He is regarded as one of the best players in the world and among the greatest African players of all time.
At the international level, Mané has tallied 34 goals in 93 games for Senegal since making his debut in 2012. He now holds the highest scoring and appearance records for his country.
He participated in the 2012 Olympics, the 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, all while representing Senegal.
Mané assisted Senegal in finishing as runners-up in the 2019 competition, and a year later, he was named African Footballer of the Year.
Mané was named the Player of the Tournament and netted the game-winning penalty kick in the 2021 final to give Senegal its first Africa Cup of Nations victory.
He received his second African Player of the Year award in 2022.
Mané also represented his country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which was only its second time participating in the event.
What Happened To Mane?
The 30-year-old limped out holding his right leg and signaled for Bayern’s medical staff to enter the field just 15 minutes into their match against Werder Bremen.
It is evident that Nagelsmann substituted Leroy Sane for Senegal sensation Sadio Mane because he didn’t want to run the danger of aggravating Mane’s injury.
Mane’s absence would be greatly felt in the Senegal camp if he were to miss the World Cup. The former Liverpool player has 93 international appearances under his belt and 34 goals.
He played a key role in the team’s success as they defeated Egypt on penalties to win this year’s Africa Cup of Nations after scoring four goals overall.
Mane has been doing admirably for Bayern during his first season in Germany after moving there from Liverpool for £35 million in the summer.
In 23 games in all competitions, he has registered four assists in addition to his 11 goals.
Mane’s injury news comes amid growing worry that players could have ailments leading up to Qatar that would keep them out of the tournament.
Senegal squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea), Seny Dieng (QPR), Alfred Gomis (Rennes).
Defenders: Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis), Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea), Abdou Diallo (RB Leipzig), Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiacos), Formose Mendy (Amiens), Fode Ballo-Toure (AC Milan), Ismail Jakobs (Monaco).
Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester), Pape Gueye (Marseille), Pape Sarr (Tottenham), Moustapha Name (Pafos), Mamadou Loum (Reading), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Krepin Diatta (Monaco).
Forwards: Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich), Ismaila Sarr (Watford), Bamba Dieng (Marseille), Boulaye Dia (Salernitana), Famara Diedhiou (Alanyaspor), Nicolas Jackson (Villarreal), Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United).
