Senegal FA Provides Crucial Update on Sadio Mane Ahead of Quartel Final Clash vs Equatorial Guinea

• The Senegal FA insists Sadio Mane is fine and is not feeling any symptoms from the clash with Cape Verde goalkeeper last Tuesday
• Mane was rushed to hospital for further check-up after seemingly losing consciousness, moments after the collision
• There have since been concerns raised on the manner in which the situation was handled, with many feeling Mane should have been taken off immediately

Sadio Mane has been declared fit for Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash against Equitorial Guinea, set for Sunday, January 30 in Yaounde.

The Liverpool forward’s health has been a point of concern after he clashed heads with opposing goalkeeper Vozinha as Senegal beat Cape Verde 2-0 in the last 16 last Tuesday.

The goalkeeper was sent off and Mane would go on to score his side’s opener minutes later, but eventually asked to be taken off.

After examinations, it was shown that the 29-year old had not suffered any concussions, at least according to Senegal's doctor Abdourahmane Fdior.

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"All the symptoms he had on the pitch are gone," said Fdior in a statement released by the Senegal FA. "His condition requires fairly close monitoring. Everything is normal on the X-ray."

In the wake of the horrific collision with the Cape Verde goalkeeper, Sky Sports reported of how brain-injury charity Headway criticized the decision to leave Mane on the pitch after the incident.

“This was a sickening collision that clearly left both players in enough distress for a concussion to have surely been considered a possibility at the very least,” Luke Griggs, deputy chief executive of Headway, said.

Recovering

The reigning African footballer of the year recently shared a photo of himself at the gym, suggesting that he was well on the road to full recovery.

His recovery will come as a huge relief to Senegal and the fans, as he is bound to be crucial for his side in their quest to win the Africa Cup of Nations.

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Senegal’s road to the quarters

As one of the favourites in the tournament, Senegal were expected to cruise past the group stage of the competition.

Aliou Cisse's side indeed showed their credentials by topping Group B, although they did it via a single win over Zimbabwe and successive 0-0 draws against Guinea and Malawi.

Against Cape Verde, Senegal only managed to open the scoring them once they were reduced to nine men.

Gambia coach says Cameroon are favourites to win AFCON

Elsewhere, Gambia coach is not feeling too optimistic about beating Senegal in the quarter finals.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the game on Saturday, January 29, coach Tom Saintfiet made some interesting remarks as he stated that his side only stood a 20% chance.

“Cameroon, one of the greatest nations in Africa and even world football, is the big favourite. I give my team a 20 per cent chance,” he said as quoted by Caf Online.