Football: Sadio Mané, a timely return for Bayern and Senegal
Bayern's Senegalese striker Sadio Mané (right) in training with his Cameroonian teammate Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
(Drawing).
AFP - CHRISTOF STACHE
Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow
3 mins
Injured at the beginning of last November, Sadio Mané should return to the field this Sunday, February 26 with Bayern Munich.
A timely return for his club, not sovereign in the league, and for his country one month before the CAN 2024 qualifiers.
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The images of Sadio Mané, limping off the pitch after a blow received during the
Bayern Munich-Werder Bremen
match , are nothing more than a bad and distant memory.
The disappointment of having
missed the 2022 World Cup
with Senegal seems to have been digested and the player has only one desire: to return to competition.
“
It was not easy, it was long,
confided Mané, a week ago to RFI,
but the most important thing is that I feel good.
And I feel very good
”.
The Senegalese striker returned to racing almost a month ago and above all has been participating in collective training with Bayern since Sunday February 19.
“
I am a footballer, football is my life, I missed it a lot.
I am always motivated, I am delighted to find the supporters, the football, the atmosphere, to score goals and in the end to win,
”said Mané after his first training session with his teammates.
Ready for the return match against PSG
The former Liverpool player is ready and has itchy feet.
This is good for the Bavarians who will play the shock of the 22nd day of the Bundesliga this Sunday, February 25 against the surprising team of Union Berlin, leader of the Championship on equal points with Bayern and Dortmund.
Sadio Mané will certainly not be 100%, but his presence (starter or substitute) should restore tone to a Munich team beaten last week by Borussia Monchengladbach (2-3).
But the African champion will be more expected in just over two weeks in the Champions League for the second leg of the round of 16 against PSG on March 8.
After two or three matches in the legs, Mané will be ready to face the Parisians who are counting on Kyllian Mbappé for a feat in Bavarian soil after their defeat in the first leg at the Parc des Princes (0-1).
🪫🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/O2ldr7aa1E
— Sadio Mané 🇸🇳 (@StopThatMane) February 19, 2023
Visit of the Senegalese Minister of Sports
Afterwards, it will be time for Bayern number 17 to find the Lions who will play the 3rd and 4th days of the CAN 2024 qualifiers with a double confrontation against Mozambique on March 24 and 28.
The native of Bambali has not played with Senegal since September 27 against Iran in a friendly match (1-1).
His return will be awaited by supporters and by all Senegalese football.
Senegalese Sports Minister Yankhoba Diattara visited Sadio Mané in Munich last week to show the 2022 African Player of the Year the support of the government just days before his return to the field.
Facing the minister and his delegation, the top scorer in the history of the Senegalese selection (34 goals) returned to his injury and his recovery.
“
When I got injured, I knew straight away that it was something serious.
I took it with dignity.
These are moments that happen in the life of a footballer or a top athlete.
Even if it was difficult, there was my family, friends, the Federation, everyone was behind me.
»
Sunday, there will still be people to follow the first steps of the year of the child of Bambali...
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