Sadio Mane has been named in Teranga Senegal’s 261man World Cup squad despite being down with injury.
Senegal announced their official 26-man list on Friday morning for the Qatar tournament which will kickoff on November 20.
And the 2021 Africa Cup of Nationals hero is among the players travelling to the Middle East.
The 30-year-old limped off after 20 minutes during Bayern’s 6-1 Bundesliga win against Werder Bremen on Tuesday.
Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann 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 tournament.
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But it seems Senegal are happy to give up a slot in their squad in the hope Mane, who finished second in this year’s Ballon d’Or voting behind Karim Benzema, can recover in time to feature in some part of the World Cup.
On Thursday, FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura said the country will go to extreme methods to ensure Mane features at the World Cup.
She admitted they are not even sure if the unorthodox technique will work but that they are hoping for ‘miracles’.
“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 – who have ruled him out of Saturday’s match against Schalke, the last match before the World Cup – said he would undergo further tests in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the Senegal team doctor, Manuel Afonso, has flown to Munich to assess the extent of Mane’s injury.
And 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!”
Senegal’s 26-Man Squad for Qatar 2022 World Cup:
Goalkeepers:
Edouard Mendy (Chelsea), Seny Dieng (QPR), Alfred Gomis (Rennes).
Defenders:
Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis), Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea), Abdou Diallo (RB Leipzig), Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiacos), Formose Mendy (Amiens), Fode Ballo-Toure (AC Milan), Ismail Jakobs (Monaco).
Midfielders:
Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester), Pape Gueye (Marseille), Pape Sarr (Tottenham), Moustapha Name (Pafos), Mamadou Loum (Reading), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Krepin Diatta (Monaco).
Forwards:
Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich), Ismaila Sarr (Watford), Bamba Dieng (Marseille), Boulaye Dia (Salernitana), Famara Diedhiou (Alanyaspor), Nicolas Jackson (Villarreal), Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United).
