Togo legend Daré Nibombé applies for Senegal coaching job after Pape Thiaw exit

Daré Nibombé has become the first coach to publicly put himself forward for the vacant Senegal national team job following the departure of Pape Thiaw.

The 46-year-old Togolese coach has submitted his application to the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) through his agent, Papa Khaly Niang, according to Record, as reported by Senego.

Nibombé’s application is the first publicly known candidacy in the search for Thiaw’s successor, with the Senegalese national team preparing to begin a new cycle after the 2026 World Cup.

Although he is not widely known among the Senegalese public, Nibombé has a notable place in Togolese football history. He represented the Hawks as a central defender and was part of the generation led by Emmanuel Adebayor.

That side famously prevented Senegal from qualifying for the 2006 World Cup after beating them 3-1 in Lomé before securing a 2-2 draw in Dakar.

Nibombé later moved into management after ending his playing career and went on to coach the Togolese national team. He holds a UEFA Pro licence and also works as an instructor for the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA-ACEF).

In his application, addressed to FSF president Abdoulaye Fall, Nibombé outlined his desire to take charge of the Senegal team as it enters a fresh phase following the 2026 World Cup.

“Following the 2026 World Cup and the opening of a new cycle for the Senegalese national team, I have the honor to submit my declaration of intent to apply for the position of national coach of the Lions of Teranga,” he wrote.

His application now puts him at the front of the publicly declared candidates for the position, as Senegal begins the process of finding a new coach following Thiaw’s departure.

Nibombé’s move represents the first formal public step from a coach seeking to take charge of the Lions of Teranga during the next stage of the national team’s development.