The Senegal national team is playing a key meeting this Thursday, against Burkina Faso, at the Stade du 26-Mars in Bamako, as part of the fifth day of qualifying for CAN 2025. This meeting is of particular importance for Pape Bouna Thiaw, interim coach of the Lions of Teranga. Since taking office in October, Pape Thiaw has recorded two victories against Malawi, but expectations remain high, and many believe the game still needs to evolve to truly convince.
However, despite these successes, the relatively weak level of the opponent did not make it possible to answer the questions that have hovered since the departure of Aliou Cissé, the former coach of the Lions. Some observers believe that, to become head coach, Pape Thiaw must demonstrate his ability to improve the Lions’ game against top teams, such as Burkina Faso.
In addition, Pape Thiaw is also the subject of criticism from certain Senegalese who believe that his management marks a simple continuity with that of Aliou Cissé. The selection of players for the double confrontation arouses controversy, in particular the summons of certain players who divide opinion.
Another major challenge for Pape Thiaw: he will have to cope without certain key players for this match. Boulaye Dia and Lamine Camara are indeed out, according to the Senegalese Football Federation. Boulaye Dia suffered a bout of malaria on the day of departure for Bamako, which forced him to stay in Dakar to continue his treatment. As for Lamine Camara, he felt pain in his adductors during the last two training sessions.
By facing Burkina Faso, a team ranked among the strongest in Africa, Pape Thiaw has a golden opportunity to prove himself. The Burkinabés, authors of a 1-1 draw at Diamniadio last September, represent a major challenge and a tougher opponent than Malawi. This meeting will assess whether the Senegal team can compete with the great nations of the continent under the leadership of Pape Thiaw. Winning isn’t just necessary for the top qualifying spot; it is crucial for the 43-year-old technician, who hopes to land the position of main coach.
Since the CAN 2015 qualifiers, Senegal has systematically finished at the top of its qualifying groups, a status it is keen to preserve. Retaining this first place would not only be a guarantee of continuity in performance, but also a sign of stability for the Senegalese Football Federation. This evening’s result will also influence the coach’s final choice, between Pape Thiaw, Omar Daff and Habib Bèye, for the next major qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
This match in Bamako marks a turning point for Pape Thiaw, who, with a victory, could strengthen his chances of being confirmed as head coach. In the event of a defeat, however, his chances would diminish, and the Federation could be tempted to choose a new face to lead the Lions. Pape Thiaw must therefore prove that he has the shoulders to lead this team beyond routine qualifying and take it to new heights.
Tonight’s face-to-face between Senegal and Burkina Faso goes well beyond a simple qualifying match. It is a real test for Pape Bouna Thiaw, who, with a convincing performance, could see his status evolve. A victory in Bamako would represent a first step towards a new era for the Lions, with a man at their head ready to build on past successes, while bringing a new vision.
