TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025: Know the Coach: Pape Thiaw (Senegal)
Former striker Pape Thiaw has seamlessly transitioned from scoring goals to crafting strategies on the sidelines.
At just 44 years old, Thiaw has already made a name for himself as one of Africa’s most promising coaches.
Appointed head coach of Senegal in December 2024, he carries the mantle of maintaining the nation’s dominance on the continental stage.
Renowned for his attacking philosophy and dynamic approach, Thiaw has brought modern football tactics to Senegal, building a team that balances flair and discipline.
With AFCON 2025 in Morocco fast approaching, Thiaw aims to cement Senegal’s place at the pinnacle of African football.
Name: Pape Bouna Thiaw
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
Age: 44
Team: Senegal
Coaching Career
Pape Thiaw’s coaching career reached a turning point on February 4, 2023, when he led Senegal to victory at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).
His team triumphed over Algeria in a dramatic penalty shootout (0-0, 5-4 on penalties), earning him the Best Coach of the Tournament accolade.
Following this success, Thiaw joined the backroom staff of Aliou Cissé as an assistant coach, gaining valuable experience with the senior national team.
On December 13, 2024, he was appointed as Senegal’s head coach, entrusted with the responsibility of steering the Lions of Teranga to further continental glory.
Style of Play
As a former striker, Pape Thiaw’s coaching philosophy is rooted in proactive, attacking football. He prefers systems like 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1, enabling rapid transitions and high pressing.
His teams excel at recovering possession quickly and converting defense into attack with precision.
Thiaw has emphasized the importance of aggression, intensity, and creativity. He has often said, “I play offensively, and after every loss of possession, we must immediately recover the ball.” This ethos reflects his commitment to maintaining both defensive solidity and offensive fluidity.
His tactical decisions have earned widespread acclaim. After a commanding 4-0 win against Malawi, analysts praised his ability to execute an attacking game plan, stating, “Thiaw has once again triumphed with his ideas.”
Experience at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations
Pape Thiaw will experience his first AFCON as head coach in Morocco in December 2025. However, he is no stranger to the tournament, having served as an assistant coach to Aliou Cissé during AFCON 2023. His insight and experience from that campaign will undoubtedly shape his approach as
he leads Senegal at AFCON 2025.
Did You Know?
In addition to his role with Senegal’s national team, Pape Thiaw is a member of FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG). As part of this elite team, he analyzed matches at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia in 2022, further showcasing his expertise in modern football tactics.
With his dynamic philosophy and proven track record, Pape Thiaw is determined to lead Senegal to success at AFCON 2025, solidifying the Lions of Teranga’s status as one of Africa’s finest teams.