CAN 2025: ahead of CAF’s decision, Senegal stands united behind its head coach.

The Senegalese Football Federation defended the choice of its coach Pape Thiaw to temporarily sideline his players during the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Morocco, assuring that it was about protecting the team and not abandoning the match, while CAF was expected to render its decision this Tuesday.

The 1-0 overtime victory of the Lions of Teranga against the host nation marked Senegal’s second continental title, but the January 18 final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium remains marred by an incident that could warrant a suspension for coach Pape Thiaw.

In a message posted on X, the president of the FSF, Abdoulaye Fall, spoke out to justify his coach’s decision: « We fully support Pape Thiaw in his decision. It was never about abandoning the match. It was a matter of principle and responsibility.»

The Senegalese leader outlined the difficulties faced by the Lions of Teranga throughout the tournament, citing logistical problems, unsuitable hotels, and security breaches during training. According to him, these conditions led the federation to intervene directly with CAF in order to ensure the protection and integrity of the team.

« What we did was not an act of confrontation but of foresight”, added Fall. “Our leadership has expressed itself as much in our decisions as on the field», he concluded, thus defending the stance adopted by Senegal during this turbulent final. The CAF Disciplinary Commission now has to decide.