Senegal national team to replace coach Pape Thiaw, Patrick Vieira reportedly set to take over
via SeneNews2 min read
The Senegalese Football Federation FSF is initiating the termination of Pape Thiaw's and his technical staff's contracts following a disappointing performance at the 2026 World Cup. Senegal was eliminated in the round of 16 by Belgium after a group stage that included losses to France and Norway, despite qualifying against Iraq. The FSF has officially announced a procedure for the cessation of duties, pending final approval from the Ministry of Sports, which also plans its own assessment of Senegal's World Cup participation. Behind the scenes, discussions are reportedly well underway for Patrick Vieira to become the next coach. Born in Dakar and a 1998 World Cup winner, Vieira is currently free after leaving Genoa and is considered a priority by Senegalese officials to lead the national team. Vieira has previously coached New York City, OGC Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg, and Genoa. The FSF must finalize Thiaw's contractual situation and secure the Ministry of Sports' approval before any official announcement. Other candidates, such as Hervé Renard, were considered, but the lead for Omar Daf did not materialize.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Khouraichi Thiam, Director General of the Fund for Support to Investment by Senegalese Abroad Faise, has officially resigned from Pastef and announced his alignment with the movement led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Thiam stated his intention to contribute to building a "Senegal of progress." This departure follows weeks of internal tensions within Pastef. In early July, Thiam, then an influential member of the National Movement of Patriotic Cadres Moncap, publicly denounced his exclusion from several internal WhatsApp groups affiliated with Pastef, attributing the decision to former Minister Khady Diène Gaye. He claimed he was removed without explanation or courtesy, questioning if it was linked to his participation in a ceremony organized by another party official, Fifi Diakhaté. This exclusion occurred amidst a tense climate within Moncap, shortly after Fatou Kiné Diakhaté's removal as the movement's coordinator. At the time, Thiam had urged Pastef's leadership for more dialogue, transparency, and mutual respect, without announcing a break from the party. His appeals seemingly went unanswered, leading to this official rupture. Thiam's case adds to a growing list of officials who have left Pastef in recent weeks to join the presidential movement, reflecting political restructuring and increasing tensions between the presidency and Pastef's historical leadership.
Must ReadJournalists and technicians from Radio Télévision Sénégalaise RTS are threatening to boycott coverage of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games JOJ if their demands for improved working conditions are not met. During a press briefing, journalist Alioune Badara Kane stated that RTS staff will continue their action until the company agreement they are requesting is reinstated. He also noted that the strike notice filed by the unions complies with legal provisions. The unions accuse the RTS general management, led by Pape Alé Niang, of deteriorating the social climate within the company. They specifically denounce the undermining of certain social benefits and claim that no major investment has been made in production equipment for two years. According to the unions, agents' working conditions have not significantly improved, despite the challenges faced by the public media, just months before a major international event that Senegal is preparing to host. This boycott threat comes as preparations for the Dakar 2026 JOJ enter their decisive phase. Discussions between management and staff representatives could be crucial to avoid disruption of coverage for the first Olympic event organized on the African continent.
Must ReadPastef, Ousmane Sonko's party, is experiencing a wave of resignations, including members of the JPS Jeunesse patriotique du Sénégal, an organization for young party members. These resignations include executives and general directors who support the vision of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Notable figures such as Mansour Diop, general director of Aristide-Le-Dantec Hospital, and Lansana Gagny Sakho, PCA of Apix, have joined Diomaye Faye's movement. Mansour Diop cited "clan-based" management within Pastef as a reason for his departure. Despite these departures, some Pastef members and sympathizers maintain their momentum, stating that the former members primarily contributed to membership growth and card sales. They also claim that those who joined the Diomaye coalition lack a strong base. The resignations could impact the dynamics of the 2027 municipal and 2029 presidential elections, with Pastef members challenging Diomaye's future party on the political field.