Former Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has urged African football federations to place greater trust in local technical talent, arguing that domestic coaches have repeatedly demonstrated their tactical competence on the world stage.
Speaking to SABC Sport, Thiaw highlighted the growing strength and competitiveness of African football following an historic showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where 10 African nations competed and nine advanced to the knockout rounds. Five of those qualifying teams were managed by homegrown African tacticians.
Thiaw’s comments follow a successful managerial tenure with the Lions of Teranga, during which he led Senegal to victory at the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in early 2023, guided them to the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and oversaw their progression to the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He stressed that African coaches possess the technical expertise, cultural understanding, and leadership required to navigate high-pressure global tournaments when given sustained backing by their national associations.
–ChannelAfrica–
