Afcon drama is behind us, says Senegal coach ahead of World Cup opener

EAST RUTHERFORD: Senegal coach Pape Thiaw insisted Monday that the controversy of January’s Africa Cup of Nations final was firmly a thing of the past as his side focused on the World Cup and their opening opponents, France.

“I am not going to go back over the Afcon, that’s behind us. This is the World Cup. We have prepared well for it and we are focused on tomorrow’s match,” Thiaw said of Tuesday’s Group I clash at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

It is almost exactly five months since January’s Cup of Nations final in Rabat, in which Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 after extra time.

That was after much of the Senegal team walked off in protest at a late penalty awarded to the hosts – the players eventually came back on, Morocco’s Brahim Diaz had the spot-kick saved, and Pape Gueye went on to score the winner.

Senegal, who had been furious at a goal for them being disallowed, were able to celebrate becoming African champions for the second time.

However, they were sensationally stripped of the title two months later by the Confederation of African Football as a punishment for the walk-off.

They have taken their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Lions of Teranga are still awaiting the outcome of that appeal.

Thiaw was an unused substitute when Senegal beat France 1-0 in their opening game at the 2002 World Cup. That was a shock of monumental proportions, but he insists a repeat performance this time would not be.

“It would not be a surprise if we beat a France team with world-class players. France are favourites, but our team have been champions of Africa and we have qualified for a third straight World Cup,” he said.

Senegal will be led by Sadio Mane returning to a World Cup at 34 after missing the 2022 edition with injury. Skipper Kalidou Koulibaly, the central defender who was born in France, is fit after a back problem.