Pape Thiaw appointed interim coach of Teranga Lions

Three days after parting ways with coach Aliou Cissé, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) published a list of 26 players for the double confrontation against Malawi on Friday, with the Lions provisionally led by former international Pape Thiaw.

Pape Thiaw, Cisse’s former teammate from the 2002 generation of the Teranga Lions, and assistant during the last regrouping, has been appointed by the Federation to lead the selection for the two matches against Malawi. These matches, counting for the third and fourth days of the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to take place in Morocco, will be played on October 11 in Dakar and October 15 in Lilongwe respectively.

The governing body of Senegalese football has chosen to maintain the list already established by Aliou Cissé before his dismissal last Wednesday for not reaching the points agreed in the performance contract.

There are no major changes compared to the last selection. In addition to the return of Lazio striker Boulaye Dia, Jaraaf Dakar goalkeeper Cheikh Lo Ndoye is making his first appearance in the Den at the age of 32.

Before Cisse’s dismissal, he received critics for neglecting players playing in locally.

However, Pape Thiaw, the interim coach, led the local national team to victory in the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The success earned him his temporary promotion alongside Aliou Cissé. However, the FSF remains cautious about the possibility of entrusting him with the reins of the Lions on a long-term basis.

“The selection will be led, on an interim basis, by first assistant Pape Bouna Thiaw and second assistant Teddy Pèlerin, under the supervision and coordination of the national technical director, Mayacine Mar,” the Federation specified.

After nearly a decade at the head of the national team, Aliou Cissé was relieved of his duties last Wednesday. Although his dismissal was criticized by many Senegalese, some of them said they were dissatisfied with the performances and results of the Lions since their victory at the AFCON 2022 in Cameroon.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) had initially considered a one-year extension for Cissé, but the Ministry of Sports opposed it in a “confidential letter”, arguing that the objectives set during the last competitions had not been achieved.