Pape Thiaw eyes tactical evolution in Senegal friendlies

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw is set to use upcoming international friendlies against Peru and Gambia to further develop a tactical system introduced late in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

The matches, scheduled for 28 and 31 March, will provide the Lions of Teranga with an opportunity to refine a 3-4-3 formation that emerged during the closing stages of their recent continental campaign.

According to DS Sports, the adjustment was first implemented in the 77th minute of the AFCON final against Morocco, when Thiaw made a triple substitution involving Ibrahima Mbaye, Abdoulaye Seck and Ismaël Sarr, who replaced Iliman Ndiaye, Antoine Mendy and Lamine Camara.

The changes signalled a switch to a three-man defence, allowing Senegal to increase their attacking presence, particularly down the right flank, and shift the momentum of the game.

The coach, who has more commonly relied on 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 systems, is now seeking to build on that in-game experiment. The March fixtures are expected to serve as a testing ground for the structure as part of a broader evaluation of the team’s progress.

The 3-4-3 approach had previously been assessed prior to the tournament. In a friendly match against Kenya, which Senegal won 8-0, the technical staff explored the system and observed improvements in defensive balance as well as a more direct attacking style.

The formation appeared to address gaps sometimes left between central defenders when using a back four.

Senegal’s current squad is considered well-suited to the system. The presence of players such as Nobel Mendy offers additional options on the left side of defence, complementing figures like Mamadou Sarr and Antoine Mendy.

In midfield, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Pape Gueye are expected to provide the central base required for stability and transition.

The system places significant emphasis on wide areas, where wing-backs are required to cover both defensive and attacking duties. Players including Krépin Diatta, El Hadj Malick Diouf and Ismaël Jakobs are seen as capable of fulfilling these roles.

During the AFCON final, Ismaël Sarr operated in a similar position, working in tandem with Ibrahima Mbaye to create attacking opportunities through movement and passing combinations.

In attack, the formation relies on fluid movement and individual skill. Players such as Iliman Ndiaye, Assane Diao and Diakhon offer dribbling ability, while a mobile striker like Bamba Dieng provides forward runs that support the system’s dynamic nature.

The forthcoming matches against Peru and Gambia are expected to provide a clearer indication of how effectively Senegal can apply the system against varied opposition, as the team continues to build on lessons from the AFCON final.