The Senegalese Football Federation has swiftly debunks reports over disagreement with head coach Pape Thiaw ahead of their round of 16 clash against Sudan
The Taranga Lions qualified to the last 16 of the continental showpiece after topping Group D on goal difference over DR Congo, who placed second after the group games.
Senegal, the 2021 champions secured victories against Benin and Botswana, and shared the spoils with DR Congo.
Earlier reports suggested a feud between the Senegalese FA and coach Pape Thiaw as the team gears up for the Sudan showdown on Saturday.
But the Football Federation in a statement has swiftly debunk such reports, urging the public to treat it with the needed contempt it deserves.
Below is the statement from the Senegal Football federation:
“The Senegalese Federation expresses its regret at the continued spread of certain rumors and information by some media outlets, which suggest the existence of a dispute or underlying tensions between the Federation and the national coach.
The Senegalese Football Federation strongly condemns these unfounded allegations, which appear to have the sole purpose of disrupting the team’s positive momentum during the tournament, as follows:
- Ideal cooperation: Beyond professional and official relations, the president of the Senegalese Football Federation maintains very friendly and fraternal relations with the national coach and all members of the technical staff.
- Joint efforts: The Senegalese delegation works daily under the supervision of the Confederation President with complete harmony, mutual respect, and a shared vision: to put the team in the best possible conditions for performance. This is not a time for pointless disputes or division.
Rather, it is a time for general mobilization and sacred unity of the entire Senegalese people around their national team and its coaching staff. All energies must be focused on one goal: to support our Lions towards ultimate victory and triumph on the evening of January 18, God willing.
