Sadio Mane set to miss Senegal’s FIFA World Cup opener 

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

The 30-year-old footballer played an crucial role in helping his country win their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title held in Cameroon earlier this year, also inspiring them to this year’s World Cup competition. 

He has been in fine form since joining Bayern at the beginning of this campaign from Liverpool, having scored 11 goals in 23 appearance across all competitions for his new side.

To put a cherry on the top, in July this year, Mane was named the prestigious African Player of the Year, his second African Player of the Year award, winning it back in 2019. 

He was also rewarded with the Socrates Award in recognition of his charity work in his native country last month.

SENEGAL WORLD CUP SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Alfred Gomis, Seny Diang

Defenders: Bouna Sarr, Saliou Ciss, Kalidou Koulibaly, Pape Abou Cisse, Abdou Diallo, Ibrahima Mbaye, Abdoulaye Seck, Fode Ballo Toure, Cheikhou Kouyate

Midfielders: Pape Matar Sarr, Pape Gueye, Nampalys Mendy, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Moustapha Name, M. Loum Ndiaye, Joseph Lopy.

Forwards: Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr, Baafter Dieng, Keita Balde, Habib Diallo, Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou, Mame Babe Thiam.