With Senegal yet to secure their place in the Round of 32, head coach Pape Thiaw has called on the West Africans to make sure they turned things around when they face Iraq in their final group fixture on Friday.
The Lions of Teranga are facing a tall order to qualify after losing their opening two matches – 3-1 against France and 3-2 against Norway. Against the latter,
“There’s a lot of talk; we have to admit. It’s normal when you’re coming off two defeats in two matches, especially when you were considered one of the favorites,” Thiaw told reporters.
“Now, we have to turn things around. That means me making tactical decisions, but also the players. We’re ready. We’re working hard. We’ll make the best choices.”
Thiaw continued: “We’ll try to give everything to secure qualification. The players want to have a great World Cup. We perhaps didn’t expect to be in this situation, but that’s the reality today.
“We’re going to do everything we can to beat Iraq and keep hoping for qualification to the next round.”
On facing Iraq in the decisive Group I game, he said: “Iraq is a technically and tactically disciplined team that can cause big problems, especially in attack.
“The defeat against Norway was painful, but it gives us even greater motivation to beat Iraq and qualify for the next round. Friday’s match is a final for both teams. If we want to stay in this World Cup, we have to win. The team needs its supporters. We need them to push the players and secure this qualification.”
