Aliou Cisse ‘optimistic’ over Sadio Mane fitness: Senegal’s 2022 World Cup squad announced

Senegal manager Aliou Cisse said he is “really optimistic” Sadio Mane will be fit in time for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after naming his squad on Friday.

Bayern Munich forward Mane, who finished runner-up at this year’s Ballon d’Or, became an injury doubt after limping off during Bayern’s 6-1 win over Werder Bremen on Tuesday. The 30-year-old was diagnosed with an injury to his right fibula and will undergo further tests.

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Cisse, who captained Senegal at the 2002 World Cup, said he hoped Mane’s condition would improve within a few weeks and declared himself “really optimistic” that the injury would not require an operation.

“I preferred to keep him in the group,” Cisse told reporters. “Sadio Mane is an important player in our squad, it is important to continue to follow his injury, hoping that in two or three weeks there will be progress. But we are really optimistic.

“We will give ourselves all the necessary means to allow Sadio Mane to recover.”

Mane’s fitness has been a major cause of concern in Senegal, the current African champions, with state president Macky Sall tweeting on Wednesday: “Sadio, heart of a Lion! All my heart is with you!”

Cisse admitted the possible absence of the talisman would be a massive blow for the continent.

“Losing Sadio Mane is not an easy thing for a coach, for the team, even for African football,” he said. “We don’t want to think about it but inevitably we have to be prepared should Sadio Mane be absent.

“For now, we still have time ahead of us. I don’t want to talk about the absence of Sadio Mane even if, in the back of my head, I’m trying to prepare for it.”

Mane, who has scored 33 goals in 92 international matches, is joined in the squad by Abdou Diallo, another player who has recently missed game time due to injury as well as Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye and Chelsea pair Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly.

“I chose a team that can meet the demands of this competition,” Cisse said. “We gained experience in 2018 and through our continental championships. We are going to Qatar, aware of our qualities and above all with high ambitions.”

Senegal have been drawn in Group A and play their opening game on November 21 against the Netherlands, before going on to meet tournament hosts Qatar and Ecuador.

Senegal 2022 World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Seny Dieng, Alfred Gomis

Defenders: Youssouf Sabaly, Kalidou Koulibaly, Abdou Diallo, Pape Abou Cisse, Formose Mendy, Ismail Jakobs, Fode Ballo-Toure

Midfielders: Nampalys Mendy, Cheikhou Kouyate, Pape Matar Sarr, Idrissa Gueye, Krepin Diatta, Moustapha Name, Mamadou Loum, Pape Gueye, Pathe Ciss

Forwards: Sadio Mane, Boulaye Dia, Nicolas Jackson, Bamba Dieng, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr, Famara Diedhiou

Updated: November 15, 2022, 11:13 AM