AFCON 2021: Disappointing – Liverpool legend condemns decision over Sadio Mane’s injury

Liverpool legend, Ian Rush, has hit out at the decision to keep Sadio Mane on the pitch after his head injury while in action for Senegal at the ongoing 2021 AFCON tournament in Cameroon.

Mane featured for Senegal in their 2-0 win over Cape Verde in the 2021 AFCON round of 16 tie on Tuesday to send the Teranga Lions through to the quarter-finals, where they will face Equatorial Guinea in the last-8 this weekend.

The 29-year-old suffered a clash of heads with Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha while contending for a high ball during Senegal’s AFCON victory against the Blue Sharks.

Vozinha was later sent off for the incident after receiving treatment himself.

Despite the impact of the head clash, Mane was controversially allowed to continue and the Liverpool star gave Senegal their first goal against Cape Verde six minutes later.

Shortly after that, Mane went down again, holding his head, following a prolonged VAR check to confirm his goal.

Mane was then substituted in the 70th minute of the encounter after being helped by his teammates and ushered off the pitch by the Senegalese medical team.

But Rush said it was disappointing to see Mane’s health put at risk.

“It was disappointing to see Sadio Mane’s health put at risk in Senegal’s 2-0 win over Cape Verde in the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] this week,” Rush was quoted by Liverpool Echo as saying.

“The Liverpool striker appeared to suffer a concussion after colliding with Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha but was allowed to play on until it became clear he could not.

“In this day and age, you’ve to stop anyone from continuing when there is a serious head injury and take them off the field even if there is the slightest doubt about their well being.”