Injured Mané included in Senegal squad to face South Africa

Despite carrying an injury, Liverpool's Sadio Mané has been named in Senegal’s squad for next month’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against South Africa.

The 25-year-old forward had been in doubt for the home and away matches against Bafana Bafana on 10 and 14 November.

He picked up a hamstring injury during Senegal’s 2-0 win over Cape Verde on 7 October, with Liverpool’s medical staff suggesting he would be out for six weeks.

Cissé: "He will be 100% fit"

Senegal coach and former Birmingham City midfielder Aliou Cissé said in a statement on Wednesday that Mané will be ready for the games against South Africa.

"In my mind, there's no doubt he will be with us for the double-header against South Africa, and that he will be 100% fit," claimed Cissé.

"Until now, he has just been doing some individual training - running in straight lines - but from next week, he is going to train harder and start working with the ball."

Just two more points

Senegal currently lead CAF qualifiers Group D and need two more points from two remaining matches (both against South Africa) to secure their place at Russia 2018.

With eight points, Senegal lead the group, with Burkina Faso and Cape Verde two points behind and South Africa lying bottom with four.

Originally, Senegal had lost their visit to South Africa in November 2016, but the result was annulled after Joseph Lamptey, the referee in charge of the game, was found guilty of manipulating the match.

The replay will take place on 10 November at the Peter Mokoba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, with the Senegalese capital Dakar holding the closing qualifier four days later.