Senegal’s Sadio Mane in injury scare 11 days before the World Cup

Senegal forward Sadio Mane will miss the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after suffering an injury on Tuesday at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

The Bayern attacker came off after just 20 minutes of the game against Werder Bremen, which ended 6-1 in favour of the Bundesliga champions.

Senegal’s World Cup campaign is scheduled to kick off in 13 days against The Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium, but they will now be without their talisman.

 In a decisive penalty that sealed their fate as champions, Mane led the Teranga Lions to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations trophy after defeating then-teammate Mohammed Salah’s side, Egypt, 4-2 on penalties in Cameroon.

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As Senegal’s highest goal scorer with 34 goals, the former Liverpool player was also pivotal to his country’s qualification where they also beat Egypt for the second time in the year, and also on penalties.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Toppmoeller allayed fears Mane may miss the showpiece event, saying an early diagnosis indicated a nerve injury.

“Sadio Mane was hit on the leg, which caused him a little nerve pain. Nothing too serious and his participation in the World Cup should not be in jeopardy,” Toppmoeller told reporters.

Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann said Mane would undergo scans on the injury.

“I can’t say anything for sure, he took a blow to the head of his shin. That’s an unpleasant spot, it radiates a bit into the muscles,” Nagelsmann said.

“I think he has to go to the X-ray to see if there is something there because it is splintering easily. But I hope that nothing is wrong. I can’t say anything for sure yet.”