The early exit of Senegal from the 2026 World Cup continues to spark reactions in the national football scene. Among the former Lions, Ferdinand Coly believes it’s time to make bold decisions to prevent this disappointment from leaving lasting scars. In an interview with L’Observateur, the former international defender urged Senegalese football leaders to act without delay, as the qualifiers for the next Africa Cup of Nations will kick off in September.
For Ferdinand Coly, the timeline leaves no room for hesitation. He argues that Senegal cannot afford to wait weeks to clarify its sporting situation. “We have no time to waste,” insists the former international, convinced that the coming months will be crucial to revitalize a team that remains one of the most competitive on the African continent despite its premature exit from the World Cup. In his view, every day counts in preparing for the upcoming challenges.
The former full-back believes the first decision to make concerns the future of coach Pape Thiaw. After a disappointing World Cup campaign, he feels the Senegalese Football Federation must quickly establish a clear direction. For Coly, there are only two options: either keep Pape Thiaw and officially renew his trust, or choose a new coach who can inject fresh energy into the squad. He argues that a period of uncertainty would be particularly harmful for the national team.
Even though Pape Thiaw is a former teammate with whom he shared the historic journey of 2002, Ferdinand Coly insists that personal considerations should not overshadow the interests of the national team. He emphasizes that the Federation’s decisions must be guided solely by the goal of keeping Senegal among the top African nations and enabling it to compete with the world’s best teams in upcoming international competitions.
For the former defender, the potential of the Lions remains intact. He reminds us that Senegal boasts a squad filled with players competing in top European leagues, proving that the country still holds an important place in the global football landscape. This is precisely why he believes the coaching staff must match the quality of this squad. A team of this caliber, he points out, cannot afford to be careless in its organization or preparation.
Sacking Pape Thiaw: Former international Ferdinand Coly takes a stand (read in comments) pic.twitter.com/vXKCukw5vl
— SeneNews (@Senenews) July 4, 2026
Ferdinand Coly goes even further, stating that Senegal must now operate according to the standards of the greatest football nations. In his eyes, this requires a recognized coach who can assert his authority and earn the respect of both players and the sporting environment. He also believes that financial resources must align with the ambitions set by the Federation, to provide the staff with all the necessary conditions to work effectively and prepare for major competitions.
With just weeks to go before the start of the CAN qualifiers, Ferdinand Coly’s message is clear: the time for analysis is ending, and the time for decisions must begin. According to him, the Senegalese Football Federation must quickly set a course, restore calm around the team, and allow the Lions to start afresh on solid foundations. The goal now is to turn the page on the 2026 World Cup and rebuild a team capable of quickly finding the path to success.
