Senegal football chiefs find themselves under serious criticism after Sadio Mane was allowed to carry on against Cape Verde having been knocked out cold.
Concern grew for the Liverpool attacker following a nasty collision with Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha during the last-16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Following treatment for the mid-air collision in the 53rd minute when chasing a long ball upfield, Mane was allowed to continue while Vozinha, shown a red card for the foul, was carried off the pitch on a stretcher and reported to have been taken to hospital.
That decision angered viewers of the match who felt that the necessary protocol was not followed and Mane, who went on to score, should have had no choice but to be substituted off.
'Sadio Mane should have been subbed IMMEDIATELY after the clash. Or not allowed to come on immediately,' one angry Twitter user wrote.
Twitter user Joe Dixon added: 'Cannot believe Mané was allowed to play on after that collision, was completed knocked out.
'Scored a peach soon after, before eventually being subbed off as he was lying on the ground in discomfort pointing at his head.
'Shocking that he wasn’t brought off immediately.'
Another added: 'Disgusting he was allowed to stay on the pitch after clearly being concussed.'
Mane appeared in a great deal of pain following the clash but after being allowed to come back on he made a decisive contribution in the last-16 match-up.
He went on to break the deadlock in the 63rd minute, clipping the ball in off the underside of the crossbar after it fell to him at the back post from a corner.
There was a lengthy VAR review of a possible foul before the goal was confirmed, after which Mane dropped onto the pitch holding his head before eventually being helped off and substituted.
Senegal made sure of progress when Bamba Dieng scored a second on the counter attack during stoppage time.
'Mane scored with a concussion. Warrior but they should have subbed him when it happened. He was out cold,' another fan tweeted.
'Sadio Mane should have been substituted after that clash but l guess it’s African Football so you’re expected to act like a rock. Bad player management,' Twitter user Yuri added.
BLACOLOGY342
237
Welcome to Africa where human health is considered only when we see blood ! Mane should’ve have been subbed !
yzkhid
154
All this people tweeting are Liverpool fans they just wanted the guy to come back to Liverpool just like Napoli did to Nigeria by framing lies that Osimhem has covid but if it's Euro tournament all this nonsense won't be happening
KvngDonzy
115
you see how stupid some of you can be. This is nothing new in European football. As long as the player accepts to forge on, the coach sometimes allows it, and it happens in Europe all too often. Since it happened in Africa now, see just how some AFRICANS, have so easily go ahead to rubbish the continent and the tournament. And these same people are calling for a change to the African narrative. SMH
tobbytorrex1
80
A lot of people are just crazy typing bullshit here and there, we see a lot of players with turn head and bloody bandages continuing and ending a football match as much as possible in the Premier league and the so called champions league. What can we say about that? you fools just keep shut if u av nothing reasonable to say. I come in peace ✌.
rootronaldo
42
If it was Liverpool, he will be praised and called a Hero. it was his decision as well and he knew how much the team needed him. He could have opted for a sub if he could not go. just because other player doesn't talk like CR7 and LM10 about their loyalty to their Nation does not mean they won't die for their nations. Mane is a Hero for this.
zebblpsu
13
Welcome to Africa where human health is considered only when we see blood ! Mane should’ve have been subbed !
lol dude if you think they don’t do this in the premiere league and all other leagues you’re just as dumb as you are racist
tjahzmania
12
Welcome to Africa where human health is considered only when we see blood ! Mane should’ve have been subbed !
bro you don't make sense, Africa is a huge continent with variety of people, blood thing you took too far, if mane decided not to be substituted who's there to force him?