Sadio Mane Ruled Out Of Senegal's Squad Ahead of DR Congo, Mauritania World Cup Qualifier Ties

• Senegal winger, Sadio Mane, reportedly suffered an injury that will keep him out of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June
• The Al-Nassr star is said to have arrived at camp with a knee injury he sustained during the King's Cup final against Al-Hilal
• The Teranga Lions will host the Democratic Republic of Congo on June 6 before taking on Mauritania just three days later

Al-Nassr forward, Sadio Mane, has reportedly been ruled out of Senegal's upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches due to an injury.

It has been stated the 31-year-old will miss the games against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Dakar on June 6 and the trip to Mauritania on June 9.

His absence will be a huge blow for the Teranga Lions, who are also without wingers, Krepin Diatta and Ismail Jakobs, for both qualifier ties.

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According to 13 Football, a statement from the Senegalese Football Federation read:

"Sadio Mané, who joined the national team with pain in his right knee, underwent medical examinations on Sunday, June 2, 2024. The results revealed a lesion in the aponeuroses of the biceps femoris and the lateral gastrocnemius."

A release on the federation's official website also confirmed Mane had withdrawn from the Senegal squad.

Despite his absence, the former African champions will be looking at winning both games as they continue their pursuit of a return to the World Cup.

Senegal reached the last 16 of the tournament in Qatar, where they were eliminated by the Three Lions of England, as reported by Sky Sports.

Meanwhile, the game against DR Congo is expected to be a tough one following the Leopards' impressive run at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished fourth.

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Walker names Mane as toughest opponent

Sports Brief also previously reported that England and Manchester City defender, Kyle Walker named Mane as the toughest opponent he ever faced.

Regarded as the best right-back in the world currently, he has faced the Senegalese forward 15 times, from his days at Southampton to Bayern Munich.

Of those 15 meetings, Mane's teams won six, drew six, and lost only three times, two of which were heavy defeats during his time with Liverpool.

Amir Abdou warns Senegal ahead of clash

Sports Brief also reported that Mauritania's head coach, Amir Abdou is beaming with confidence ahead of a World Cup qualifier against Senegal soon.

The AFCON 2023 quarter-finalists will first face Sudan on Thursday, June 6, before engaging their neighbours, Senegal, three days later in Dakar.

Mauritania heads into the game with high hopes after holding World Cup semi-finalists, Morocco, to a goalless draw in an international friendly in March.