Senegal has fantastic football players who, under a manager other than Pape Thiaw, could have fought for World Cup gold just like they did in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Pape Thiaw only got one year on the job. Now it’s over after a dramatic World Cup exit, a shocking collapse against Belgium – and a star player who, for completely legitimate reasons, refuses to play on.
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Senegal have said goodbye to national team boss Pape Thiaw after the African champions crashed out of the World Cup already in the round of 32.
It was a turbulent tournament for the Teranga Lions in North America. After two straight losses against France and Norway in the group stage, the team was on the verge of elimination. But then everything turned around. Senegal crushed Iraq 5-0 in a show of power that secured them the final spot among the top third-place teams.
Still, the journey came to a heartbreaking end. In the round of 32 against Belgium, Senegal led 2-0 and looked to be safe from progressing. Then everything collapsed. Two late goals and a decisive penalty in extra time sent the Senegalese out with a 3-2 loss that will stay in the walls for a long time.
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The star was furious – and the federation acted
The aftermath was not long in coming. Midfielder Pape Gueye went public right after the final whistle and stated that he would “take a break” from international play – as long as the current coaching staff was in place.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) acted quickly to clear up the situation. In an official statement, they confirmed that Thiaw was finished:
“After a thorough assessment of the national team’s sporting performance and future prospects,” the federation wrote, adding that the decision had been made “in the best interests of Senegalese football.”
The AFCON scandal that haunted them
Thiaw, who took over in December 2024, was already a deeply controversial figure long before the World Cup. Senegal arrived at the championship in the middle of a major legal battle with the African Football Confederation (CAF).
The background? The Africa Cup of Nations in January, where Thiaw was the protagonist in one of the most chaotic finals in history. Furious over an overtime penalty for Morocco, he sent the entire team off the pitch in protest.
The players came back after a 17-minute break – and it saved the penalty kick and even scored the winning goal in extra time through Gueye. But CAF reacted harshly. In March, they reversed the result, stripped Senegal of the title and declared Morocco as official champions.
Senegal has since appealed the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an attempt to regain the trophy. But with Thiaw out of the picture and the team in deep crisis, the federation now faces an impossible task: to build a new team – and regain confidence – before the next competitive period.
The Millions and the Nightmare in Seattle
Thiaw took over as national team manager in December 2024 – and only managed to sit in the chair for one year. He led Senegal through a demanding Africa Cup of Nations last year, where the team fought their way to the semi-finals before being beaten by hosts Morocco after an intense and even game that ended 1-1 after full-time, but in which the Moroccans eventually emerged victorious on penalties.
The journey to the World Championships in the USA, Canada and Mexico started promisingly. Senegal progressed from the group stage as one of the best third-place teams after an important win over Iraq. But in the round of 16, Belgium awaited in Seattle – and it was to be a nightmare for the African champions.
Senegal led 2-0 and looked to be on their way to the quarter-finals. Then everything turned around. Belgium fought back, and when the referee blew the whistle, it was 3-2 to the Belgians. One of the most dramatic turnarounds ever in the World Cup context sent Senegal out – and cost Thiaw his job.
The star raged – and resigns
Already shortly after the smoke of the exit had settled, midfield profile Pape Gueye went out hard. He announced that he would take a break from the national team as long as Thiaw and the coaching staff were still in place.
Now he has had his way – but Gueye’s relationship with the federation is noticeably strained. Sources close to the team describe a player environment that is deeply divided, and several of the biggest profiles are said to have lost faith in the direction the team was about to take.
For Senegal, this is not just about one game. It’s about a team that had ambitions to go all the way, and instead goes home with a shattered hope and a coaching staff in disarray.
Now it remains to be seen who will take over responsibility for one of Africa’s most talented national teams – and whether Gueye will be persuaded to return.
