Pape Thiaw challenged his Senegal side to turn progress into silverware after their 1-0 semi-final win over Egypt secured a place in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Speaking shortly after the narrow victory, the Lions of Teranga head coach reflected on the discipline and maturity shown by his players in a contest that was settled by a late Sadio Mané strike.
The result sends Senegal into another AFCON final and leaves them one match away from lifting the trophy.
Thiaw opened his post-match address by saluting the collective effort behind the success, emphasising how his squad had remained faithful to the principles laid out at the start of the tournament.
“I really want to congratulate my players. They embraced this project. They respected the game, so they deserve praise,” Thiaw said.
The Senegal coach then singled out the figure who ultimately made the difference, underlining Mané’s importance in decisive moments.
“A special mention also goes to our legend, Sadio Mané, who unlocked the situation for us,” Thiaw added, acknowledging the forward’s ability to rise when it matters most.
Despite the joy of reaching the final, Thiaw was careful not to downplay the quality of the opposition Senegal had just overcome.
He paid tribute to the Pharaohs, who pushed his team throughout the contest and remained competitive until the closing stages.
“We must also acknowledge the great Egyptian team. We have to admit they showed some good things,” Thiaw said.
He continued by referencing Egypt’s status in the competition, reinforcing the significance of the result.
“As I said the day before the match, they are the best team in Africa in terms of their record,” Thiaw noted, highlighting the pedigree of a side that has dominated the tournament over many decades.
The Senegal coach made it clear, however, that the mission is not yet complete.
Having spoken frequently about the ambition to return to the final, he now insists the focus must shift to claiming the trophy itself.
“Now we are in the final, we wanted to play in this final. Now we have to go and win it,” Thiaw declared.
Senegal’s route to the final has been built on structure, patience and moments of individual brilliance, with the semi-final against Egypt reflecting the character Thiaw has demanded from his squad.
The match was tense, with long spells of probing football and few clear chances, before Mané’s intervention finally broke the deadlock.
Throughout the tournament, Thiaw has stressed the importance of belief in the collective plan, and his comments after the game reinforced that philosophy.
By praising his players for “embracing the project” and “respecting the game”, he underlined that progress to the final is as much about mindset as it is about tactics.
As Senegal prepare for the showpiece match, the tone from their head coach is one of measured confidence rather than celebration.
The semi-final victory has been framed not as a destination, but as a necessary step toward a larger objective.
With one more hurdle remaining, Thiaw’s message is clear: reaching the final was the expectation, but lifting the trophy is now the obligation.
