DAKAR: Senegal’s Sadio Mane is a key selection in the 28-man World Cup squad named by coach Pape Thiaw on Thursday as the influential forward looks to make up for lost time having missed the finals four years ago in Qatar through injury. Thiaw will have to trim his squad by two players ahead of the final deadline toward the end of this month. Mane remains a leading player for a star-studded Senegal lineup that looks to be the most potent of the 10 African qualifiers for the finals in the US, Mexico and Canada, with a blend of experience and youthful athleticism in the squad.

Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr are other key players joining Mane in Senegal's World Cup forward line.

Senegal face France, Norway and Iraq in a tough-looking Group I in the U.S., Canada and Mexico this summer.

DAKAR: Senegal’s Sadio Mane is a key selection in the 28-man World Cup squad named by coach Pape Thiaw on Thursday as the influential forward looks to make up for lost time…

Former Liverpool striker can entrench himself in African folklore if he helps Senegal roar again in North America