Senegal national team coach Pape Thiaw has issued a strong rebuke regarding security failure that endangered his squad, while also making a heartfelt public appeal for star forward Sadio Mané to reconsider his international retirement.
Thiaw’s comments follow a troubling incident where Senegalese players were reportedly put at risk. “What happened yesterday was completely unacceptable,” stated Coach Thiaw. “The players were in danger at the train station, and anything could have happened if there had been people with bad intentions.”
He stressed the seriousness of the lapse, linking it to the broader prestige of African football. “This is not normal at all, especially between two brotherly countries. Regarding organization, I believe football stakes should not push us to act recklessly. Africa’s image is at stake.”
Thiaw connected the need for flawless tournament organization to the continent’s fight for recognition in global football. “We have valued competition very highly this year. Because of the Africa Cup of Nations, some stars in the past did not win the Ballon d’Or. Sadio Mané could have won it, but he was told AFCON didn’t matter. So, when the organization is good, the tournament must be completed properly.”
Reiterating his alarm, he added, “What happened yesterday was abnormal. It is unacceptable.”
In a separate but related appeal, Coach Thiaw directly addressed the recent news of Sadio Mané’s departure from the national team after the Africa Cup of Nations. He urged the veteran player and national icon to pause his decision.
“If you are Sadio Mané there’s a nation involved,” Thiaw said. “Maybe he took this decision in a rush. The nation would like to see him continue playing.”
Making his own position unequivocally clear, the coach concluded, “If it comes to me and I have to sign, I don’t think I want to see him leave. We need to keep him.”