Massively Criticized Money-Time Management
Le Soleil sums up the episode with a play on words, “Coachmardesque”, combining the nightmare experienced with the coach’s role. The daily points to the substitutions made during the match, accused of having destabilized a team that had been in control until then.
WalfQuotidien talks about a “cruel disappointment” and highlights the coach’s “technical error”. L’Enquête takes a questioning angle with “should Pape Thiaw be fired?”, reminding that the Lions were still leading 2-0 in the 87th minute before the collapse. The tone gets even harsher in Yoor-Yoor, whose editorial judges this historic fiasco to be due to catastrophic human and tactical management from the coach, rather than a failure of the players. The piece particularly targets the substitution of Pape Gueye, who the newspaper says was replaced by Lamine Camara, overwhelmed by the situation. La Tribune takes an equally strong stance with “Terrible coaching eliminates Senegal”, claiming that Pape Thiaw got lost in his own substitutions.
L’Observateur goes even further with a blunt headline, “Pape, ciao!” The newspaper gives the floor to Gaoussou Dramé, former coach of Cneps de Thiès, who believes the coach no longer deserves to lead the team. The daily also notes that Pape Gueye has announced he will take a break from the national team as long as the current coaching staff remains in charge.
A Future Hanging on an Unclear Contract Situation
Beyond their differences in tone, these outlets reach the same conclusion. The management of money-time, between questionable substitutions and the inability to maintain a two-goal lead, is presented as the direct cause of the elimination, a diagnosis that even the Belgian coach Rudi Garcia himself openly suggested.
The issue goes beyond a simple slip-up. Pape Thiaw’s contract expired on February 28 and its renewal hasn’t been formally confirmed, further weakening his position. On top of this uncertainty, there is now a visible rift in the squad. Pape Gueye’s announcement that he would put his international career on hold as long as the current coaching staff remains, illustrates the extent of the internal tensions caused by this elimination.
A few months after being celebrated as one of the architects of the CAN victory, the coach now sees his status dramatically reversed at the end of this World Cup, caught between media pressure and now-internal fractures.
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À propos de l'auteur
El Hadji Malick SARR
Rédacteur sportif
Passionné de sport depuis toujours, partage avec vous les dernières actualités et analyses du monde sportif.