Nampalys Mendy: Senegal Set to Lose Midfield Engine Before AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast

• Senegal midfielder Nampalys Mendy is racing against fitness ahead of AFCON
• The former Leicester City midfielder limped off Lens' UCL game against Sevilla
• Senegal will begin their AFCON defence with a game against The Gambia in January

African champions, Senegal have been hit with a big blow just a month before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

RC Lens midfielder Nampalys Mendy could miss the tournament after limping off in the game against Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.

Mendy suffered a knock in the 23rd minute and had to be replaced by Younes El-Aynaoui.

According to 13 Football, the former Leicester City midfielder, who played a pivotal role in Senegal's AFCON triumph in Cameroon, is set to miss the competition.

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Mendy will undergo scans to determine the extent of his injury as he races against fitness for the tournament in Ivory Coast.

Meanwhile, coach Aliou Cisse has already begun the search for his replacement with the likes of Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham Hotspur expected to make his team.

Senegal is hoping to defend their title in Ivory and will come up against some of the best, including five-time champions Cameroon in their group.

The holders will also face The Gambia and Guinea in Group C. as reported by Diario AS.

Mendy discloses how AFCON saved his career

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Nampalys Mendy confessed that switching nationalities and representing Senegal has been essential to his club career.

The France youth international decided to represent Senegal at the senior level, where he ended up winning the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

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According to Mendy, the AFCON triumph helped save his Leicester City career after spending most of his time on the bench before the tournament in Cameroon this year. He left the Foxes in the summer transfer window to join Lens.

Senegal crowned champions of Africa

Sports Brief also reported that Senegal are champions of Africa after beating Egypt in the final in Cameroon last year.

The Lions of Teranga stunned Egypt 4-2 on post-match penalties to win the continental showpiece.

The thrilling match played at Olembe's Pau Biya Stadium had to be decided via the shootouts after both teams settled for a goalless draw in regulation time.