Senegal coach puts AFCON issues behind as World Cup kicks off

Senegal coach, Pape Thiaw, said on Monday that the drama from January’s Africa Cup of Nations final is now in the past. He and his team are focused on the World Cup and their first match against France.

“I am not going to go back over the AFCON, that’s behind us. This is the World Cup. We have prepared well for it, and we are focused on tomorrow’s match,” Thiaw said about Tuesday’s Group I game at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

It has been nearly five months since the Cup of Nations final in Rabat, where Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 after extra time. During that match, much of the Senegal team walked off in protest over a late penalty given to Morocco. They returned to the pitch, Morocco’s Brahim Diaz had the penalty saved, and Pape Gueye scored the winning goal.

Senegal, upset that one of their goals was disallowed, celebrated their second African championship. But just two months later, they were stripped of the title by the Confederation of African Football. This was a punishment for the walk-off.

They have taken their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and are waiting for a decision on that appeal.

Thiaw was on the bench when Senegal shocked the world by beating France 1-0 in their first match at the 2002 World Cup. He believes a repeat of that upset is possible this time.

“It would not be a surprise if we beat a France team with world-class players. France are favorites, but our team has been champions of Africa, and we have qualified for a third straight World Cup,” he said.

Senegal will be led by Sadio Mane, who is back at the World Cup at age 34 after missing the 2022 tournament due to injury. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly, a central defender born in France, is fit after recovering from a back problem.