Senegal has been dealt a huge blow after it was confirmed that Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane will need surgery for his injury as he was not recovering.

The surgery will effectively rule him out of the World Cup and leave Senegal sweating for a replacement. The Senegalese Football Federation had initially said on Tuesday that the 30-year-old would only miss the country’s first games at the World Cup.

After the team conducted an MRI scan on Thursday, it was revealed that there was a need for knee surgery. 

However, Bayern Munich revealed that the striker underwent surgery in Bavaria on Thursday through a statement.

“Sadio Mane underwent successful surgery in Innsbruck by Prof Christian Fink and Dr. Andy Williams from London on Thursday evening. During the operation, a tendon was reattached to the head of his right fibula. The Bayern forward will, therefore, no longer be available to play for Senegal at the World Cup and will begin his rehab in Munich in the next few days.” The statement read.

It’s a big blow for the African Champions, especially as he was the man who scored the winning penalty in February to win them the AFCON, and repeating the same thing in March as they beat Egypt again on penalties in a World Cup playoffs.

Senegal’s first game at the World Cup is against the Netherlands on Monday before games against hosts Qatar and Ecuador.

Senegal’s 26-man List.

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Seny Dieng, Alfred Gomis

Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly, Abdou Diallo, Pape Abou Cisse, Ismail Jakobs, Fode Ballo Toure, Youssouf Sabaly, Formose Mendy

Midfielders: Mamadou Loum Ndiaye, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Nampalys Mendy, Pape Gueye, Moustapha Nam, Pathe Ciss, Pape Matar Sarr, Cheikhou Kouyate

Forwards: Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr, Krepin Diatta, Iliman Ndiaye, Boulaye Dia, Bamba Dieng, Nicolas Jackson, Famara Diedhiou.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu