Sadio Mane will miss Senegal s first games of the World Cup due to injury, a Senegalese Football Federation official revealed on Tuesday.
The Bayern Munich forward s place at Qatar 2022 looked to be in jeopardy after he suffered a fibula injury this month, but he was included in Aliou Cisse s 26-man squad.
However, Mane will not feature in Senegal s clash against the Netherlands next Monday and Senegalese Football Federation board member Abdoulaye Sow revealed that will not be the only Group A match he will miss.
Senegal will face hosts Qatar next Thursday before taking on Ecuador in their final group match on November 29.
Sow stated: Senegal will have to cope without its best player for the start of the tournament and not whine too much.
We will…
Francesco Totti bemoaned Italy s absence at the upcoming World Cup, describing the upcoming tournament in Qatar as like going to Rome without seeing the Colosseum .
A shock play-off defeat to North Macedonia knocked the reigning European champions out of the running to qualify for international football s premier competition, the second consecutive World Cup they have failed to reach.
Only Brazil have won more World Cup titles than Italy s five, and Totti says they will be sorely missed in Qatar.
The World Cup without Italy is like going to Rome without seeing the Colosseum, Totti told Sky Sport, we re talking about a great national team.
For us Italians it is a negative thing, but these are things that happen in football. It will always be a World Cup,…
Russia coach Dick Advocaat has lamented his side s elimination from Euro 2012 after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Greece on Saturday.
The Russians, semi-finalists in 2008, began the day in top spot in Group A, only needing a draw against the Euro 2004 winners to advance to the last eight.
However, they were lethargic at the National Stadium in Warsaw, and were made to pay when Giorgos Karagounis struck in the second minute of added time at the end of the first half to secure progression.
Advocaat, who is set to take the reins at PSV, paid tribute to the Greeks before offering his thoughts on the failed campaign.
We played quite well, pushed forward but the other team defended well. I thought we played really well in the first half, the Dutchman said aft…
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been left out of the Manchester United squad to face Stoke City amid speculation he could move to Arsenal as part of a deal to bring Alexis Sanchez to Old Trafford.
United are understood to have stolen a march on rivals City in their pursuit of Sanchez owing to a greater willingness to meet the demands of Arsenal and the Chile forward s agent Fernando Felicevich.
Arsenal are reportedly keen on attracting former Borussia Dortmund playmaker Mkhitaryan to Emirates Stadium as part of any agreement, with the Armenia international having come in for criticism from manager Jose Mourinho this season.
Mourinho told a pre-match news conference that Mkhitaryan would probably retain his place from the XI that beat Derby County 2-0 in the third round …
With the festive schedule rolling onto Monday, we have another afternoon of fixtures from up and down England s footballing tiers this week. On that note, for those of you looking to stick on a Monday acca, we have found you a handful of helpful tips that are worth keeping an eye out for.
Monday 28th December
BST 15:00 Crystal Palace vs Leicester
Starting with Monday s guests, managing to come from behind twice against away day specialists Manchester United over the weekend, the mood in Leicester s camp should be at a real high. Continuing to gain a string of plaudits from up and down the Premier League so far this season, Head Coach Brendan Rodgers finds his side tipped as a real contender in the top-four chase. Managing to cruise their way to the knockou…
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes VAR is here to stay but feels the Premier League must adapt how it applies the use of technology
City found themselves on the wrong end of a marginal call on review during their 2-2 draw against Tottenham on Saturday.
Gabriel Jesus stoppage-time winner was disallowed after replays showed the ball deflected off team-mate Aymeric Laporte s arm before the Brazilian controlled and thrashed past Hugo Lloris – sparking jubilant celebrations at the Etihad Stadium.
But, as was the case when City were eliminated from the Champions League last season against Spurs, the joy proved short-lived.
During the first half versus Mauricio Pochettino s men this time, Rodri was not awarded a penalty despite replays appearing …
John Herdman believes Canada showed that they do belong at the World Cup despite losing their opening match 1-0 to Belgium on Wednesday.
Making their World Cup return after a 36-year exodus, Canada dominated the first half and should have gone ahead when they were awarded a penalty after Yannick Carrasco handled Tajon Buchanan s shot.
However, Alphonso Davies saw his spot-kick saved by Thibaut Courtois, before Michy Batshuayi struck Belgium s winner a minute before half-time to ensure Canada s World Cup return ended in defeat.
Despite the disappointing result, Canada s head coach Herdman was pleased with his team s performance after such a long spell away from international football s top competition.
They showed that they [Canada] do belong, Herdman tol…
Barcelona s financial issues mean they need to get crafty in January transfer window.
The Catalans lost Lionel Messi during the off-season and have struggled this term.
Barca were bundled out of the Champions League this week but will be keen to rescue their season.
TOP STORY – BARCA PLOT RASHFORD SWOOP
Barcelona are planning to swoop for Manchester United s Marcus Rashford, according to El Nacional.
The stumbling block may be United s asking price for Rashford, but the Blaugrana believe they can prise him away based on opportunity.
Rashford has been in and out of United s starting line-up and Barca plan to offer him the chance to lead their attack.
Bowen and Raphinha interest
Rice and Phillips stance
Nat Ph…
Former Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster says he is tired of the negative tactics employed by teams who visit Barcelona in the Champions League.
After the Catalans hard-fought 2-1 win over Celtic on Tuesday, Schuster said he is fed up of seeing teams – most notably Chelsea last season – shut up shop when they visit Camp Nou.
I m fed up of seeing these type of matches, Schuster told ABC.
There shouldn t be teams like (Celtic) in the Champions League.
We saw it last year with Chelsea. It was a very bad example for football and it is regrettable that they became champions.
You see Celtic defending with 10 and almost snatching a point, and that s not fair.
Schuster had his say on Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben, with whom he worked …
Gamba Osaka and Vissel Kobe were relegated from the J.League as the season drew to a thrilling close on Saturday.
Gamba went down to Jubilo Iwata 2-1 away from home, while Vissel slumped to a 1-0 loss at champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Albirex Niigata thumped the already-relegated Consadole Sapporo 4-1 at home, condemning Gamba and Vissel to the J2.League.
Gamba, the 2008 AFC Champions League winners, were one of only five teams to have featured in the Japanese top flight every year since its inception in 1993.
Masanobu Matsunami s men were highest scoring team in the league this season, but also conceded more goals than any other side.
Gamba finished in 17th place on the table with 38 points, one point behind Vissel in 16th, while Sapporo were ro…