Alain Giresse faced criticism and questions about his coaching decisions after Senegal failed to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The team suffered a 3-1 defeat in the first leg against Ivory Coast and managed a 1-1 draw in the return leg. The exclusion of Chelsea striker Demba Ba from the squad stirred controversy, as he had not been called up since June.
Demba Ba expressed his disappointment on Twitter, saying, “Really too bad. So proud of the match you had! One Love!” The decision to omit Ba, a talented player, was seen by many as a significant risk taken by Giresse. The disappointment in Senegal was widespread, and questions arose about whether Giresse could continue as the head coach of the national team.
The debates surrounding Giresse’s coaching choices and the overall performance of the team were expected to intensify in the following days, with many expressing the belief that Senegal could have performed better with the inclusion of Demba Ba in the squad. The disappointment of failing to qualify for the World Cup added to the scrutiny of Giresse’s coaching tenure.
