The elimination of Senegal against Belgium (3-2) in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup continues to spark numerous reactions in the national football scene. The match’s scenario, marked by a two-goal lead for the Lions before a Belgian comeback, fuels discussions about the tactical management of coach Pape Thiaw.
Among the critical voices, former international Dame Ndoye stands out. He believes Senegal had the necessary qualities to win, especially on an individual level, against a Belgian team seen as vulnerable.
“I said before the match that, on paper, this would be the most manageable game for Senegal. I felt Senegal was superior to Belgium in terms of individual quality. But in a team, players alone aren’t enough. You also need a coach who can read the game and make the right decisions,” he stated.
The former striker then pointed to the management of substitutions made in the second half, which he considers a major turning point in the match. According to him, these adjustments disrupted the collective organization just when Senegal seemed to be in control.
“I said it before the kickoff: Pape Thiaw needed to manage this match well. In my eyes, he completely unbalanced his team with his changes. I even wondered what the bench was thinking. What were the assistants doing? What are they for if they don’t provide a different perspective?” he questioned.
In his analysis, Dame Ndoye believes that managing the score should have led to a more cautious approach to secure the advantage. He specifically criticizes the loss of balance in midfield after several simultaneous adjustments.
“While Senegal was leading 2-0, it was enough to close down spaces. We could have played with two lines of four and two strikers, or reinforced the midfield with an extra player. However, taking all the midfielders off is almost unheard of in top-level football. The team lost all its balance,” he analyzed.
The former international goes further by suggesting a different approach to offensive choices, arguing that the speed of the wingers could have maintained a constant threat on the counterattack. He specifically mentions the profiles of Sadio Mané and Ismaïla Sarr as crucial assets in this type of setup.
Dame Ndoye criticizes Pape Thiaw: “Senegal was superior to Belgium, but the coaching cost us qualification” https://t.co/b87RoNAcdm pic.twitter.com/Cue8Sigrae
— exclusif.net (@exclusifnet) July 3, 2026
“I would have taken Sadio Mané off instead. With Ismaïla Sarr’s speed and the crosses coming in, Senegal had all the means to score a third goal. Instead, the team let Belgium back into the match. What hurts the most is losing a game like this,” he lamented.
Finally, Dame Ndoye calls for broader reflection on how matches are managed by the coaching staff. Without questioning the coach’s competence, he believes that in-game decisions should be more shared and discussed with the assistants.
In the wake of this elimination, criticism is mounting around the national team. The debates focus on both tactical choices and the staff’s ability to manage key moments, as expectations remain high for the Lions in international competitions.
