Pape Thiaw’s CHAN-AFCON Double: An Unbreakable Record

With Senegal’s triumph in the AFCON 2025 final against Morocco, Thiaw has officially become the first and only coach to win both the African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Pape Thiaw’s tactical masterclass touches across every level from local to international stars, some of which he coached at both categories, like Lamine Camara.

His journey to immortality began with the 2022 CHAN tournament, where he guided the local-based Teranga Lions to a title. That victory was a testament to his ability to build a cohesive, disciplined unit from the ground up using only players from the Senegalese domestic league. By following that success with the AFCON 2025 title, he has solidified his status as the premier tactician in African football.

What makes this feat truly permanent is the recent announcement by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who declared the CHAN tournament done and dusted. With the competition being phased out to accommodate a changing football calendar, Thiaw stands as the first and last coach to ever hold both trophies.

However, this historic double was achieved on a night that many fans and pundits found deeply polarizing. Despite his tactical know-how displayed on the pitch, Thiaw’s behavior during the final against Morocco drew criticism.

The manager staged a walkout for his team, briefly leading his players off the field in protest of officiating decisions. While the team eventually returned to secure their victory, the move was viewed by many as a lapse in professional conduct that overshadowed the spirit of the final.

Ultimately, Pape Thiaw leaves Morocco with a gold medal and a place in the history books that can never be replicated.

Despite the controversy surrounding his protest, Thiaw’s legacy as the only man to achieve the African Double is forever etched in the annals of history.