File photograph of Sadio Mane.© AFP
Former Senegal star El Hadji Diouf stated the group had suffered a “massive loss” with African participant of the 12 months Sadio Mane dominated out of the World Cup. Group chiefs confirmed on Thursday that the ahead would miss the match in Qatar after present process surgical procedure on his decrease proper leg following an harm sustained whereas taking part in for Bayern Munich final week. “We’ll miss Sadio as a result of he is a difference-maker,” stated Diouf, a nationwide group ambassador who was a part of the Senegal aspect that reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup.
“However do not forget we have been very sturdy as a result of we even have (Edouard) Mendy, (Kalidou) Koulibaly, an amazing group.”
Mane scored the decisive penalty in a shootout as Senegal beat Egypt to win their first Africa Cup of Nations title in February. He did the identical in opposition to Egypt a month later of their World Cup play-off.
The 30-year-old former Liverpool star additionally completed second on this 12 months’s Ballon d’Or voting behind Karim Benzema.
“It is true the absence of Sadio Mane is an enormous loss for us, our chief is not right here,” stated Diouf. “Mane had so much to do with this group getting right here.
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“However this group is a household, do not forget that.”
He added: “We have started working with out him — Senegal have to point out the entire world what the African champions can do.
“Some groups do not wish to play Senegal as a result of we have now a very good group with skilled gamers.”
Diouf, a two-time African footballer of the 12 months like Mane, stated the Bayern ahead would name his team-mates earlier than their video games and presumably even fly out to Qatar to help them.
Senegal start their World Cup marketing campaign in opposition to the Netherlands on Monday. They will even face hosts Qatar and Ecuador in Group A.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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