SHeavy blow for World Cup insider tip Senegal: Captain Sadio Mané, superstar of Bayern Munich, has to worry about participation in the World Cup in Qatar after his injury from the Bundesliga game against Werder Bremen. Africa’s footballer of the year “suffered an injury to the right fibula head,” said the German record champions on Wednesday afternoon.
Mané is said to be out of action for the annual financial statements for Munich at the bottom of Schalke 04 on Saturday (6:30 p.m./in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on Sky). And: “Further examinations will follow in the next few days, FC Bayern is in contact with the medical side of the Senegalese Football Association.”
“God bless you!”
There, however, the worst has long been feared: the World Cup for Mané. “Sadio, I wish you a speedy recovery,” tweeted President Macky Sall from the world climate conference in Egypt. He was with him “with all my heart”, the politician assured the player: “God bless you!”
National coach Aliou Cissé wants to announce his 26-man squad this Friday. Senegal will play in a group with the hosts, Ecuador and the Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar, which begins on November 20th. The Dutch are the first opponent for the Senegalese on November 21 (5:00 p.m., in the FAZ live ticker for the soccer World Cup, on ZDF and on MagentaTV).
Mané had to be replaced after 20 minutes in Munich’s home game. After his team’s 6-1 win, coach Julian Nagelsmann spoke of “a blow to the head of the shin” for the attacker. In order to be able to make an exact diagnosis, Mané should have an X-ray. The 30-year-old striker suffered the injury in a duel. Mané pointed to his leg when he was substituted and spoke briefly to the team doctor of the German record champions.
The forward has scored 33 goals and provided 20 assists in 92 internationals. He first led Senegal to their first ever triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations in February and then to the World Cup in March. Both times he scored decisively from the spot in the shoot-out against Egypt.
“Personally, I’m sorry about that,” said Bayern captain Manuel Neuer about Mané: “It’s very annoying when a player gets injured so close to the World Cup.”
