🇸🇳SenegalWest Africa
Senegal's draw against Saudi Arabia raises concerns for coach Pape Thiaw
via SeneNews3 min read
Senegal's recent preparation match against Saudi Arabia, which ended in a 0-0 draw, has reportedly left national coach Pape Thiaw with concerns. While some players like Pathé Ciss and Ismaïla Sarr performed well, several key players delivered performances below expectations. Lamine Camara, midfielder for AS Monaco, struggled to control the midfield and influence the game, particularly in the first half. Iliman Ndiaye, an attacker, had minimal impact on the Saudi defense, touching the ball only 35 times and losing it nine times. Sadio Mané, the team's technical and offensive leader, also had a difficult evening, failing to create danger and losing possession in critical areas. Substitute Nicolas Jackson missed a significant opportunity and was later sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession. These performances by Camara, Ndiaye, Mané, and Jackson are noted as sources of worry for Coach Thiaw, despite the team's defensive solidity and some encouraging individual displays.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
The search for Senegal's new national football team coach continues following the dismissal of Pape Thiaw, who was removed after the team's elimination from the 2026 World Cup by Belgium. Patrick Vieira was initially considered the frontrunner, with reports indicating advanced discussions with the federation. However, Hervé Renard has now entered the race, according to L'Équipe, adding a new dynamic to the selection process amid ongoing turbulence in Senegalese football. Pape Thiaw's dismissal occurred on the night of July 11-12, 2026, after a unanimous decision by the Senegalese Football Federation FSF following a 14-hour meeting in Dakar. Despite a record of 20 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses in 29 matches, and leading Senegal to a continental title against Morocco, his early World Cup exit led to his removal. Patrick Vieira, born in Dakar and a former French international, co-founded the Diambars academy. He has been without a club since leaving Genoa in November 2025. While discussions are reportedly advanced, some observers view his lack of national team coaching experience as a risk. His appointment would also mark a shift from locally trained coaches like Aliou Cissé and Pape Thiaw to an expatriate. Hervé Renard, known for his extensive experience in African football and with national teams, particularly Tunisia, presents a more experienced option. However, his potential cost is a concern for the FSF, which is reportedly facing financial challenges. Another name, Habib Bey
Idrissa Fall, a Senegalese journalist and former editor-in-chief of the French service of the Voice of America VOA, has passed away. Fall dedicated nearly thirty years to covering major conflicts and political upheavals across Africa, beginning his tenure at VOA in 1992. He gained recognition as one of the most respected African correspondents of his generation. His extensive coverage included civil wars in Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon, crises and coups in Niger, rebellions in Côte d'Ivoire and the fall of President Laurent Gbagbo, rebellions in Burundi, and the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Fall achieved several journalistic firsts, such as being the first foreign reporter to enter Gao, Mali, in 2012, while it was under Mujao control. In 1996, he was also the first journalist to access rebel-controlled areas in eastern Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he revealed the existence of Laurent-Désiré Kabila. In 2013, he narrowly escaped death while covering clashes in the Central African Republic. His rigorous and courageous work earned him the "David Burke Distinguished Journalism Award" from the VOA board of directors.
Vozinha, the Cape Verdean goalkeeper and a standout player at the recent World Cup, is set to join Chilean club Colo Colo. The club's president, Anibal Mosa, announced that Vozinha will arrive in Chile in the coming days for medical examinations before his official presentation at the Monumental Stadium. Vozinha, whose real name is Josimar José Evora Dias, gained significant attention for his heroic performances at 40 years old, particularly in a 0-0 draw against eventual champions Spain during the group stage. He led the Cape Verdean national team to the round of 16, where they took finalists Argentina to extra time in a 3-2 loss. Vozinha has previously played in Cyprus, Slovakia, Moldova, and Angola, signing his first professional contract at age 26. He will be transferring to Colo Colo from GD Chaves, a team in the Portuguese second division. Mosa noted Vozinha's excellent physical condition as a key factor in his recruitment. His World Cup performances, amplified by Brazilian influencer Casimiro, boosted his Instagram following from 50,000 to nearly 30 million in a few weeks.