Senegal could go to Qatar for the World Cup without their star, Sadio Mane, who suffered an injury during Bayern Munich's 6-1 victory over Werder Bremen on Tuesday, November 8. Mane went down after 15 minutes and had to be replaced by Leroy Sane. Mane went straight down the tunnel for further treatment after being substituted. His injury came just 13 days before Senegal play their first game at the 2022 World Cup against the Netherlands. He'll have to have an X-ray to see what's happened, said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann. He took a blow to his tibial plateau [the head of the shin]. It's a painful spot. The former Liverpool forward is a key player for the African champions who face the Dutch in their opening Group A game on November 21 before taking on hosts Qatar, then Ecuador. Mane's penalty in the shootout win over Egypt helped Senegal win their first Africa Cup of Nations title earlier this year. He also helped his country beat the same side to win a ticket to the World Despite concern over the two-time African Footballer of the Year, Bayern's assistant coach Dino Toppmoller later played down the possible extent of the injury. He said: [It's] nothing too serious and his participation in the World Cup should not be in jeopardy. Senegalese are now sweating over Mane’s injury scare. President Macky Sall is among so many people worried about the player and wishes him to recover in time to play the world’s most prestigious tournament taking place in Qatar from November 20 to December 18. “Sadio, I wish you a speedy recovery from your injury in the Bayern-Werder Bremen game. As I told you: Sadio, Lionheart! With all my heart with you! God bless you!” the President of Senegal posted on his Twitter account.
