Pape Thiaw, the coach of the Senegalese national team, emphasized the great determination of the "Lions of Teranga" to continue their journey in the current edition of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, stressing that the team's ambition does not stop at the quarter-final stage, but extends to competing for the continental title.
Fiery statements ahead of the West African derby
During a press conference held today, Thursday, in the Moroccan city of Tangier, Thiaw spoke frankly about the difficulty of the upcoming match against Mali, indicating that advancing to the semi-finals will require significant sacrifices and a doubled effort from the players on the pitch. The Senegalese coach said, "It's entirely up to us; the ball is in our court, and we must prove we deserve to qualify.".
The Senegal coach addressed the team's impressive run in the group stage, where they topped what was described as one of the toughest groups in the tournament. He explained that this first-round success gives the players a morale boost, but it doesn't guarantee victory in the knockout stages, where there's no room for error.
Between belonging and professionalism
In a touching display of sportsmanship, Pape Thiaw addressed the personal aspect of the match, revealing his mixed heritage: his father is from Senegal and his mother from Mali. He commented, "It's just a football match for me. My father is Senegalese and my mother is from Mali. I don't want to talk about anything outside of sports or use war-related terms. We're here just to play football.".
The importance of continuing in Tangier
Thiaw indicated the Senegalese delegation's desire to stay in Tangier for as long as possible, praising the great public support and the wonderful atmosphere provided by the city, which gives the players a sense of comfort and enthusiasm to give their best.
Context of the confrontation and history of the rivalry
The Senegal-Mali match holds special significance as it is a true derby between two neighboring West African nations, where encounters between the two teams are always characterized by fierce competition, excitement, and physicality. In recent years, Senegal has sought to reaffirm its dominance in African football, benefiting from a golden generation of players and significant development in its sporting and training infrastructure.
The decisive match between Senegal and Mali is scheduled to kick off at 7 pm tomorrow, Friday, as part of the quarter-final competitions, in a match that African football fans are waiting for to find out which side will qualify for the semi-finals.
