World Cup: AFCON Saga Behind Us, Senegal Coach Thiaw Says Ahead Of France Clash

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw says his team has moved on from the Thiaw that followed January’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final and is fully focused on Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup opener against France in New Jersey.

Speaking ahead of the Group I clash at MetLife Stadium, Thiaw dismissed suggestions that the lingering fallout from the AFCON final could distract his players.

“I am not going to go back over the AFCON, that’s behind us. This is the World Cup. We have prepared well for it, and we are focused on tomorrow’s match,” Thiaw said.

Naija News reports that the AFCON final in Rabat remains one of the most dramatic matches in recent African football history. Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 after extra time, but only after a chaotic sequence of events that saw several Senegal players walk off the pitch in protest over a late penalty awarded to the hosts.

Play eventually resumed, with Morocco’s Brahim Diaz failing to convert from the spot before Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal.

Senegal celebrated a second continental title, but the triumph was later overshadowed when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped them of the crown as punishment for the walk-off.

The Lions of Teranga have since appealed the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and are still awaiting a verdict.

Despite that unresolved dispute, Thiaw insists all attention is now on the challenge posed by France.

The Senegal coach was part of the squad that stunned the world with a famous 1-0 victory over France at the 2002 World Cup, although he did not feature in the match.

More than two decades later, he believes another Senegal victory would be no shock.

“It would not be a surprise if we beat a France team with world-class players. France are favourites, but our team has been champions of Africa, and we have qualified for a third straight World Cup,” he said.

Senegal will be boosted by the return of captain and talisman Sadio Mane, who missed the 2022 World Cup through injury.

The 34-year-old forward is set to lead the attack, while skipper Kalidou Koulibaly has recovered from a back problem and is available for selection against France.