:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64011142/1153104453.jpg.0.jpg)
Sadio Mane is set to miss Senegal’s first match in the African Cup of Nations later this month due to suspension. Apparently, there had been some debate over whether or not his two yellow cards from the qualification rounds would carry over, but the BBC was able to confirm today that they indeed would.
Senegal’s manager Aliou Cisse spoke to the press about the 27-year-old forward before the team left for Egypt, “His absence should not in any way bother us,”
“Certainly the presence of Sadio is beneficial but without him we remain strong.
”The CAF [Confederation of African Football] has decided, so we will not linger,” Cisse added.
Mane has come off an incredible season with Liverpool, lifting the Champions League trophy and being joint top goal scorer in the Premier League. He will miss the first match against Tanzania. Even with Sadio’s absence, Senegal should be favorites to advance from their group. The other two teams in the group are Algeria and Kenya. Even if Senegal has a rough go of it in the group, 4 of the 6 third place teams from the groups advance to knockout stages of the tournament.