Senegalese coach analyses perfect March record and future challenges

Senegalese coach Pape Thiaw has praised his team’s attacking performances during the March international window but acknowledged areas that require improvement ahead of future competitions.

The national team completed the break with two victories, defeating Peru 2-0 and Gambia 3-1. Speaking to the media outlet Galsen Foot, Thiaw noted that the match against Gambia exposed specific challenges, particularly the difficulty of building attacks against a well-organized defensive setup.

He also highlighted the quality of the Gambian team, which he believes will present a tough test for other opponents in the future.

“To meet the challenges of these friendly matches, we conducted a thorough review of our squad and systems,” Thiaw said.

Senegal experimented with three tactical formations, beginning with a 3-4-3 setup and later adopting a two-striker formation, pairing Bamba Dieng and Habib Diallo up front.

The coach was particularly impressed by Dieng’s commitment, noting his determination despite a recent absence from the national team.

The team scored five goals in two matches, including one from a set piece, demonstrating attacking efficiency.

However, Thiaw emphasized the need to address technical errors and the loss of duels, which he identified as critical for maintaining territorial dominance.

Physical fatigue, following recent travel, also affected performance, though the coach stressed that this should not serve as an excuse.

Thiaw concluded that the coaching staff’s focus will now be on correcting these weaknesses during upcoming training camps, ensuring the team continues to develop and maintain its competitive edge.