AFCON 2021: Sadio Mane Warned Against Playing in Senegal's Quarter-Final After Head Injury

AFCON 2021: Sadio Mane Warned Against Playing in Senegal's Quarter-Final After Head Injury

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:55 PM
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  • Sadio Mane is in line to feature in Senegal's AFCON quarter-final clash against Equatorial Guinea
  • The Liverpool ace took part in training on Saturday just days after he suffered a head injury
  • Mane collided with Cape Verde's keeper during a last 16 clash but was allowed to stay on the pitch
  • According to reports, Liverpool are of the opinion Mane should be rested against Equatorial Guinea

Liverpool have appealed to Sadio Mane not to risk his health playing for Senegal after he suffered a head injury against Cape Verde in his side's AFCON last 16 fixture.

Senegal international Sadio Mane. Photo: Getty Images.
Sadio Mane is in line to feature in Senegal's AFCON quarter-final clash against Equatorial Guinea. Photo: Getty Images.
Source: Getty Images

Mane clashed with Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha as he rushed down a kick from Edouard Mendy in the second half, leaving him down with head injuries

Worryingly, the Liverpool ace was allowed to stay on the pitch and even scored before he was subbed off and taken to hospital.

While Premier League protocols would mean the star forward automatically missing the next game, all indications suggest he will be featuring for the Lions of Teranga in their last eight tie against Equatorial Guinea.

The former Southampton star posted a photo of himself on an exercise bike and he is understood to have taken part in Senegal's training on Saturday, January 29, all but confirming his availability for selection.

However, Daily Mail reports Liverpool have contacted Mane and Senegalese authorities to make their stance clear on the 29-year-old playing in the quarterfinals.

According to the publication, the Reds do not have the power to dictate the forward's availability for the fixture.

Senegal, meanwhile, will be looking to join Cameroon and Burkina Faso in the semi-final of the continental showpiece.

Egypt and Morocco are the other teams still in the competition.

Burkina Faso book AFCON semi-final spot

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Karl Toko Ekambi netted a second-half brace to help Cameroon see off the Gambia to reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Gambia initially did well not to hold off Cameroon, who are among the favourites to win this year’s edition.

But the debutants’ resistance was eventually broken in the 50th minute, with Ekambi putting the result beyond doubt seven minutes later.

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Fred Kennedy
Fred Kennedy has a Bachelor's degree in journalism (Daystar University), currently working as a Sports Editor. He has more than five years of experience in digital journalism.