Senegal forward Amath Ndiaye suffers facial fracture ahead of AFCON
Senegal striker Amath Ndiaye faces several weeks out of action after suffering a serious facial injury, delivering a major setback to both his club and country just days before the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Real Valladolid forward sustained the blow during his side’s most recent league fixture, and the timing could not be worse as he was expected to play a crucial role for Senegal at the continental tournament.
The incident occurred during Valladolid’s clash with Cultural Leonesa when Ndiaye went up for a high ball against defender Roger Hinojo.
The pair collided mid-air, and Ndiaye came off worse, immediately signalling for medical assistance. He left the field before half-time looking dazed and disoriented, and the club’s medical team quickly sent him for scans.
Results revealed fractures to both his zygomatic arch and eye socket — injuries that require surgical intervention.
The 28-year-old will now undergo an operation to repair the damage, and although Valladolid has not announced a precise recovery timeline, the forward is expected to miss several upcoming matches.
His absence will have a significant impact on the Spanish club’s attacking setup, as Ndiaye has been one of their most consistent performers since the start of the season.
started every match so far and impressed immediately by scoring twice on the opening day against Ceuta.
The injury also comes as a heavy blow for Senegal’s national team, with the Africa Cup of Nations just around the corner.
Ndiaye had been preparing to join the squad for their title challenge and was considered a key attacking option by the coaching staff. His strong form and experience at the top level would have provided valuable depth and creativity in the final third.
Now, his involvement in the tournament appears uncertain, with his recovery likely to stretch beyond the group stage.
For Valladolid, losing Ndiaye at this stage of the campaign complicates their ambitions in the Spanish league. The team relies heavily on his pace, directness, and finishing ability in the final third.
Coach Paulo Pezzolano must now reshuffle his attacking plans and find a short-term solution to fill the gap left by the Senegalese forward.
The club also understands that rushing his return could risk further complications, so they will adopt a cautious approach to his rehabilitation.
Ndiaye’s absence is particularly frustrating given the promising start to his season. He showed sharp form in the early rounds and quickly established himself as a central figure in Valladolid’s attacking structure.
His ability to stretch defences and create scoring chances made him one of the team’s most influential players in the final third.
With the AFCON kicking off soon, Senegal will continue to monitor his situation closely. Medical updates in the coming weeks will determine whether he can recover in time to feature.
Until then, both Valladolid and Senegal must prepare for the possibility of playing without one of their most dynamic attacking talents.
