Sadio Mane World Cup-bound as he has been named in Senegal’s World Cup squad.
The West African country announced their official 26-man list on Friday morning. The Qatar tournament begins later this month.
Mane, who plays for Bayern Munich, is his country’s best player.
This comes after FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura said the country would use witch doctors to help him get to the competition.
Mane limped off after 20 minutes during a 6-1 Bundesliga win against Werder Bremen on Tuesday. Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann then confirmed the 30-year-old would have an X-ray to assess the damage.
It was then reported by French outlet L’Equipe that the injury was serious enough to keep the player out of the World Cup.
However, Senegal are happy to give up a slot in their squad in the hope Mane can recover in time to feature in some part of the World Cup.
On Thursday, Samoura said the country will go to extreme methods to ensure he is present.
“We are going to use witch doctors,” she told Europe 1. “I don’t know (if they’re effective) but in this instance, we’re going to use them anyway. We are hoping for miracles. He has to be there!”
Mane was diagnosed with an injury to his right fibula, with Bayern highlighting he would undergo further tests in the coming days.
The Senegal team doctor, Manuel Afonso, has flown to Munich to assess the extent of Mane’s injury.
The two-time African player of the year is pivotal to the African champions’ hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.
Senegal President Macky Sall on Wednesday tweeted: ‘Sadio, I wish you a speedy recovery. Sadio, heart of a Lion! All my heart is with you!’
If Mane did miss out on the World Cup, his absence would be felt massively in the Senegal camp.
The ex-Liverpool man has picked up 93 caps for his country and scored 34 times.
He was instrumental for the team on their way to winning this year’s Africa Cup of Nations as they beat Egypt on penalties in the final.
Mane joined Bayern from Liverpool for £35million in the summer. He has been excelling for his club during his first season in Germany.
He’s scored 11 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions, as well as recording four assists.
Premier League trio Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye are the biggest names in Cisse’s selection.
The Lions of Teranga begin their tournament on November 21 against Holland, before taking on hosts Qatar and Ecuador in Group A. – 263Culture/DailyMail
