CHAN 2022 - Pape Thiaw: "Reach the final and go for the Holy Grail"

You have a good defence in this tournament, with just one goal conceded. You are about to face the team that scores the most goals. How are you preparing for this clash of styles?

Pape Thiaw: It's true that they score a lot, and our only goal conceded was an own goal against Uganda. But no two games are the same. We're in a semi-final now. We'll try to stick to our principles and play to our strengths to disrupt this Madagascar side, who have quality. We're sticking to what we've been doing since the start, with our own strengths, and hoping to play our best game tomorrow.

There are similarities in the way the two teams play. What could make the difference in this semi-final?

In a competition like this, you can compare the group-stage games to league matches and the knockout games to cup ties. They're inevitably different to approach. Games like this are decided far more on the balance of power. They come down to small details: making fewer mistakes than your opponent and being first to every ball.

Read more on the same subject: CHAN 2022-Senegal: the Pape Thiaw method under the microscope

Madagascar are known for their attacking play, which means their opponents are often put under pressure. How will you manage this game defensively?

Pape Thiaw: As they often say, the best form of defence is attack. They have a good team and they know how to keep the ball, but it's up to us to put things in place to stop them developing their game. We're working on that and preparing the players as well as we can.

What are this Senegal team's strengths?

First of all, it's the collective. In a tournament like this, that's very important. We also get a big contribution from the bench. I've told my players that nobody is indispensable, but everyone matters, because we need everybody.

What can you tell us about your opponents?

Pape Thiaw: Madagascar need no introduction at African level. At this CHAN they are an attacking side, the one that has scored the most goals. They have some very good spells of play. But we have plenty to offer too. We'll have to put it into practice on the pitch on matchday.

Madagascar have never reached the semi-final of a CHAN, while Senegal have done so in the past. Could that be an extra source of motivation for them?

We don't think too much about the opponent. At this stage everyone is motivated. Madagascar are not a surprise to me. Malagasy football is on the rise. They are showing some very good things. But we also know why we're here, and we want to do our country proud. It was 11 years since Senegal last took part in a CHAN. We worked to get here and our aim will be to reach the final and, why not, go for the Holy Grail.

The women's national team have just won the UFOA tournament. How do you explain this current success in Senegalese football?

Senegal are on a continuous upward path. Whether it's the U20s, the women... everyone is working in the same direction. We're seeing some very good things. I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate my brother Mame Moussa (the women's team coach, editor's note) and also our federation, which is providing the resources. Only hard work pays off, and this investment is starting to bear fruit. The country deserves it and we will keep working in this direction to keep getting results.