This Thursday evening in Bamako, the Senegal National Team is playing the fifth and penultimate day of qualifying for CAN 2025. A match without major sporting issues, against Burkina Faso, which will necessarily count in determining the future of Pape Bouna Thiaw, interim coach since October.
By largely dominating Malawi (4-0) at the Abdoulaye-Wade Stadium in Diamniadio then by winning in Lilongwe, against the same Malawians (0-1) a few days later, the Senegal National Team avoided losses. final annual meetings cut corners by ensuring its qualification for the next African Cup of Nations. If the Flames faced were not frightening, the Lions were able to show solidity and solidarity to get through it. Not enough, however, to dispel the doubts born from the sluggish end of an era with Aliou Cissé, then dismissed at the very beginning of the last month of October by the new Ministry of Sports.
Two victories, certainly, under the leadership of Pape Bouna Thiaw, still interim coach. But in the eyes of many observers and supporters, not much has changed and much remains to be perfected, particularly given the weakness of the opponent. And it is perhaps good for the former coach of Niarry-Tally to prove that he really has the shoulders to lead this team. Because this Thursday evening (7:00 p.m. GMT), in Bamako, the former coach of the local Lions will have the opportunity to face one of the toughest nations on the Continent: Burkina Faso. A caliber opponent and a bigger challenge that can determine his future.
Thiaw must score more points
At present, as it was decided, after the ousting of Aliou Cissé, to finish the qualifications for the CAN with the means at hand, the Senegalese Football Federation has not yet decided for its future main coach. If the position swings between Omar Daf and Habib Bèye to truly launch a new era in March 2025, when the Lions will regain qualification for the 2026 World Cup, Pape Thiaw also has his say, provided he fulfills his objective which is to win against Burkina Faso. The context adds even more spice with first place in the sights for the 2022 African champions.
This first qualifying place for the CAN, Senegal has never given up to any nation since the qualifiers for the CAN 2015, when it finished in second place in group G behind Tunisia. Finishing at the top of the group is the final challenge for Pape Thiaw in his hope of becoming head coach of the Lions. Have no doubt: the 43-year-old technician’s chances of being confirmed at the head of the National Team will become much less in the event of a poor performance at the Stade du 26-Mars in Bamako this Thursday evening. We will therefore have to face a Burkinabé team which has been doing well since its 1-1 draw at Diamniadio last September.
wiwsport.com
