Mane Declared Fit for Cup of Nations Quarter-Final

Senegal’s Sadio Mane, in action against Cape Verde, during their African Cup of Nations 2022 round of 16 match against Cape Verde at Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam. (AP)
Senegal’s Sadio Mane, in action against Cape Verde, during their African Cup of Nations 2022 round of 16 match against Cape Verde at Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam. (AP)
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Mane Declared Fit for Cup of Nations Quarter-Final

Senegal’s Sadio Mane, in action against Cape Verde, during their African Cup of Nations 2022 round of 16 match against Cape Verde at Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam. (AP)
Senegal’s Sadio Mane, in action against Cape Verde, during their African Cup of Nations 2022 round of 16 match against Cape Verde at Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam. (AP)

Sadio Mane has been declared fit for Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Equatorial Guinea in Yaounde on Sunday, his country's football federation said, days after suffering a head knock that saw him taken to hospital.

After scoring the opening goal, the Liverpool star clashed heads with the opposing goalkeeper as Senegal beat the Cape Verde Islands in Tuesday's last-16 clash in Bafoussam and was forced to leave the field, looking groggy and with swelling on the side of his face.

He underwent examinations that showed no trace of concussion, said Senegal's doctor Abdourahmane Fédior.

"All the symptoms he had on the pitch are gone. His condition requires fairly close monitoring. Everything is normal on the X-ray," the doctor said in a statement released by the Senegalese federation.

Mane, The reigning African Footballer of the Year, posted a picture of himself on social media with the caption "recovering".

He is a major part of Senegal's hopes of winning their first continental championship in Cameroon. They were among the pre-tournament favorites but although they have reached the last eight, they have so far looked far from convincing.



Mbappe Absent from Real Madrid Squad for Salzburg Club World Cup Clash

Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP
Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP
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Mbappe Absent from Real Madrid Squad for Salzburg Club World Cup Clash

Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP
Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP

Kylian Mbappe has been left out of the Real Madrid squad for Thursday's final Club World Cup group game against Red Bull Salzburg, despite returning to training following illness.

The French superstar did not feature in the list of 23 players named by coach Xabi Alonso and published by the club for the match in Philadelphia, in which the two teams are targeting a place in the last 16.

Mbappe had returned to training on Wednesday after missing Real's first two matches at the tournament in the United States due to illness.

He was taken to hospital last Thursday for tests and treatment after suffering gastroenteritis, before later being released.

He played no part in Real's opening game, a 1-1 draw with Saudi side Al-Hilal in Miami, or the 3-1 defeat of Mexico's Pachuca at the weekend.

Alonso did indicate after the latter game that Mbappe was on the mend, saying: "He is doing better, he is recovering."

Real posted images of Mbappe in training on Wednesday on their website, as the squad worked out at their Florida base before travelling north in the afternoon to Philadelphia.

It is there, at Lincoln Financial Field, where Madrid will take on the Austrians in their final Group H match and will be looking for a victory which will confirm their progress to the last 16 in first place in the section.

A draw can also take them through to the next round, with Manchester City and Juventus the possible opponents in the last 16.

Mbappe has scored 43 goals in 56 appearances since joining Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last year. His last game was for France in a 2-0 win away to Germany in the UEFA Nations League on June 8.