Senegal forward, Sadio Mane, has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 due to a leg injury.
The news was announced by Senegal team doctor Manuel Afonso on Thursday, November 17, confirming he had an injury to his right fibula.
Afonso also revealed that Mane will be forced to undergo surgery.
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“Unfortunately, today’s MRI shows us that the improvement is not as favourable as we imagined and unfortunately, we have to withdraw Sadio from the World Cup,” Manuel Afonso stated.
Mane suffered the injury while playing for Bayern Munich against Werder Bremen during a Bundesliga fixture on November 8.
Beyer Munich later gave an update indicating that the forward underwent successful surgery.
"During the operation, a tendon was reattached to the head of his right fibula. The FC Bayern forward will therefore no longer be available to play for Senegal at the World Cup and will begin his rehab in Munich in the next few days," Bayern Munich's statement read.
Senegal Football Federation (FSF) board member Abdoulaye Sow on November 16, had noted that Mane would miss the first games only.
Coach Aliou Cisse named the 30-year-old forward to his World Cup squad despite having an injury scare.
The 30-year-old Bayern forward has been Senegal's main man, having helped the team win Against Egypt in their World Cup qualification match.
The Teranga Lions will open their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on Monday, November 21, at 7:00 pm East African time (EAT).
Senegal is in Group A together with host nations Qatar, Netherlands and Ecuador.
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