Just months after guiding Senegal to Africa Cup of Nations glory, head coach Pape Thiaw and his entire technical crew have been sacked by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF).
The decision, which was announced after an emergency meeting in Dakar, comes in the wake of the Teranga Lions’ Round of 32 elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Pape Thiaw, a former Senegal forward who featured in the 2002 World Cup, was appointed as the national team coach in December 2024. He started his tenure strong as he led the team to AFCON victory in early 2025. This feat boosted the nation’s expectations ahead of the global stage.
Hence, Senegal entered the 2026 World Cup with high hopes as one of Africa’s top contenders. However, the tournament did not go as expected. The team suffered defeats in their opening group games against France and Norway. They managed to advance from the group stage but fell out in the Round of 32 against Belgium. According to Reuters, Thiaw himself described the match as a “cruel game” afterwards.
SEE ALSO: AFCON 2025 Highlights: Walk-Off, Wild Penalty and Senegal’s Triumph
From then on, the criticism of Thiaw intensified rapidly. Senegalese media outlets launched scathing attacks, pointing to tactical errors, poor substitutions, and questionable man-management. ESPN Africa highlighted divisions within the squad, with players reportedly unhappy with the coaching staff.
Midfielder Pape Gueye made headlines by announcing an indefinite break from the national team until the technical staff was replaced. Thousands of fans signed online petitions calling for Thiaw’s dismissal shortly after the Belgium loss.
The FSF cited a “thorough evaluation of the sporting results and prospects of the national team” as the reason for the change. It also emphasises that it was made in the best interests of Senegalese football. The entire technical bench was let go alongside the head coach.
As Senegal sacks Pape Thiaw, it hopes for a fresh start. The federation, led by President Abdoulaye Sall, has begun the process of appointing a successor as they look ahead to upcoming qualifiers and the quest to return to winning ways on the continental and global stage.
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