Julian Nagelsmann reveals date for upcoming Sadio Mane tests

November 11, 2022 7:50 pmNovember 11, 20227:50 pm

CAIRO, EGYPT - JULY 01: Sadio Mane of Senegal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group C match between Kenya and Senegal at 30th June Stadium on July 1, 2019 in Cairo, Egypt. (Photo by Visionhaus)

The Senegal captain is racing against time to recover in time for the World Cup.

Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has reacted to Senegal’s decision to include Sadio Mane in their World Cup squad.

The Ballon d’Or runner-up suffered a fibula injury in Bayern‘s win over Werder Bremen on Tuesday. The initial tests showed Mane will most likely miss the World Cup.

However, Senegal went on to include the 30-year-old in their squad for the tournament. Nagelsmann doesn’t rule out an early return for Mane but insists he shouldn’t play through pain.

“We’ll do another check in 10 days and then we’ll see how the recovery is going,” he said on Friday.

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“Of course, Senegal would like him to play. But if he’s in pain, he can’t play. Health is above football. That’s the case with us and also with everyone else.”

The news of Mane’s injury is devastating to Senegal’s World Cup hopes. But the AFCON champions are yet to give up on his fitness.

Fatma Samoura, the Senegalese FIFA General Secretary, has revealed that Senegal would use witch doctors to accelerate Mane’s recovery.

“We are going to use witch doctors,” she said.

When questioned on their efficacy, she added: “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!”