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Sénégal

Ibrahim Mbaye at the center of discussions after the Lions’ defeat

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Ibrahim Mbaye at the center of discussions after the Lions’ defeat

The 2026 World Cup is turning into a nightmare for Senegal. After an opening defeat against France (3-1), the Lions of Teranga faced another setback against Norway (3-2) from Monday night to Tuesday. With two losses in as many matches, Pape Thiaw’s men now sit in third place in Group I without a single point. This alarming situation drastically reduces their chances of qualification and fuels criticism against the coach and several key players.

At the center of the debate is Ibrahim Mbaye. The 18-year-old forward from Paris Saint-Germain made a splash when he came on against France. He scored a stunning goal after dribbling past Théo Hernandez, becoming the youngest scorer in Senegal’s history and the youngest African player to score in a World Cup, at just 18 years and 143 days. This impressive performance naturally raised expectations for his first start against Norway.

Ibrahim Mbaye au cœur des débats après la défaite des Lions

Yet, despite this explosive entry, Pape Thiaw chose to leave his young talent on the bench once again. This decision baffled some Senegalese supporters. “No Senegalese offensive player has performed better than him in 135 minutes. Let’s be serious, Ibrahim Mbaye should never start on the bench again,” said one fan, convinced that the young Parisian deserves a starting spot.

Mbaye came on in the 54th minute for Pape Gueye and didn’t directly contribute to either of Senegal’s goals. However, he injected new energy into an uninspired attack, just like in the first match. His stats speak volumes: 100% successful dribbles, 88% passing accuracy, four passes in the final third, one blocked shot, and five duels won out of five. His performance was praised by several observers.

The specialized press also highlighted his contribution. “He came on with good intentions, bringing speed and freshness to the attacking play.”

“Interesting in his ball control, he showed he could be a credible option in the rotation,” analyzed DSportsTV, giving him a score of 5.5 out of 10. This rating contrasts with the criticism aimed at the team’s collective performance and the coaching staff’s choices.

Frustration among supporters grew throughout the match. “Our 18-year-old winger shows more than everyone else,” reacted one fan, adding, “For 45 minutes, we couldn’t threaten the opponent. Up front, Sadio Mané is doing all the defensive work. Jackson is isolated. In midfield, it’s lifeless. No creativity…” These comments reflect the sentiment of a segment of the Senegalese public, convinced that Mbaye could bring more spontaneity and creativity to the attack.

Asked after the match about this latest non-start, Pape Thiaw defended his management of the young forward. “We always talk about the collective. Mbaye came on and had a very good performance. Once again, he showed all his qualities. Every time he’s on the pitch, he brings something to the team. We will analyze the situation and work during the week before deciding if he will start in the next match,” the coach explained to the media.

This response, however, did not fully calm the debates. With just days before the crucial match against Iraq, scheduled for Friday at 9 PM, calls for Ibrahim Mbaye to start are multiplying. For many supporters, the young prodigy now represents one of the few glimmers of hope in a Senegalese squad searching for solutions to avoid an early exit.