Cameroon forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is sad for Senegal, Africa and Sadio Mane after his Bayern Munich team-mate was ruled out of the World Cup.
African player of the year Mane was initially expected to feature in Qatar and was named in Senegal s 26-man squad, despite sustaining a leg injury in Bayern s 6-1 win over Werder Bremen on November 8.
But the former Liverpool forward saw his World Cup dreams shattered last Thursday as Senegal confirmed surgery would be required for the 30-year-old s fibula issue, thus ruling him out of the tournament.
Choupo-Moting and Cameroon face Switzerland in Thursday s Group G opener but much of the striker s focus appeared to be with team-mate Mane.
I m very sad for him, and for both Senegal and for Africa. He s a great player and a great person as well, Choupo-Moting said on Tuesday.
I m very happy that he joined us at Bayern. I m very, very upset and sad for him that this injury came just before the World Cup.
Injuries are always part of the game, unfortunately, I don t know why it came at the wrong moment but we are all with him.
He s a positive guy who will keep his positive energy. I hope he will come back stronger.
