Lorient, the French Ligue 1 club, and the Gabon national team face unfortunate news as their defender and captain, Bruno Ecuele Manga, suffered a significant injury during the first-day match against PSG. The former Angers central defender had to be substituted after only around twenty minutes, revealing a complete rupture of the medial collateral ligament in his knee. There is also concern about potential damage to the cruciate ligament, pending the results of an upcoming MRI.
If the MRI confirms the worst, Ecuele Manga could be sidelined for a substantial period, possibly around a month. This setback is particularly unwelcome for Lorient, as Manga’s defensive prowess was considered a key element for the team’s stability. Similarly, the Gabon national team, gearing up for the final round of the CAN 2013 qualifiers against Togo on September 8 in Libreville, will feel the impact of his absence. The news is likely to be disappointing for Paulo Duarte, the Portuguese coach of the Gabon Panthers.
Ecuele Manga’s injury occurred following a collision with PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, during the opening match of Ligue 1, which ended in a 2-2 draw between Lorient and PSG. The incident raises concerns about both the immediate future of Lorient in the league and Gabon’s prospects in the upcoming CAN qualifiers.
