AFCON: Senegal will have respect for Mali – Pape Thiaw

Senegal national team coach Pape Thiaw has stressed the importance of facing Mali with a lot of respect when the two nations battle in the quarterfinal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Friday.

The Eagles will face the former African champions at the Grande Stade de Tanger seeking to reach the last four. So far in the tournament, Mali are yet to win a game.

Mali reached the knockout stages after drawing all their group matches. In the Round of 16, they drew 1-1 against Tunisia in extra time but prevailed 3-2 on penalties to reach the quarterfinals.

While Senegal have played all four of their matches at the tournament in Tangier, Mali have played three games in Casablanca, including two group games and their Round of 16 clash, and one group match in Rabat.

Mali a team that must be respected

“Mali have played twice with ten men without losing. This shows their mental strength and their ability to never give up. They are a team that must be respected,” he acknowledged as quoted by Wiw Sports, before warning: “Against them, we will have to be focused from the first minute.”

At the press conference, Mali coach Tom Saintfiet’s statement about a “war” on the pitch provoked a strong reaction from Thiaw.

The Senegalese coach refused to let that word take hold: “For me, it’s a football match. It’s not a war. Mali vs. Senegal, it can’t be a war.

“I think all of us sitting here, even if we don’t have Malian relatives, or Malians don’t have Senegalese relatives, they have a Malian neighbor. So, I don’t think we can talk about war. We’re sticking to the topic of football,” he insisted.

He added: “We know what we can do. We’re going to try to implement it and hopefully it will work. After that, I can’t. It’s like today, I’m being asked to choose between my father and my mother. It’s difficult because my mother is on the Malian side and my father is Senegalese. So, we can’t talk about war over a football match. I prefer not to comment.”

Gueye brings Senegal a lot of composure

On the depth of Senegal squad, he said: “I brought twenty-eight starters. In some people’s minds, there is a hierarchy, but with us, competition is healthy. Each player has his qualities and my choices depend on the opponent.”

On having Idrissa Gana Gueye in the squad, Thiaw said: “It’s a pleasure to have Gana in this team, both on and off the pitch. He brings us a lot of composure with his experience. It’s easier to play alongside him; he talks a lot and anticipates the game. We hope he will continue to contribute even more.”

Senegal have played all four of their matches at the tournament in Tangier, while Mali have played three games in Casablanca, including two group games and their Round of 16 clash, and one group match in Rabat.