Senegal Head Coach sounds warning on South Africa ahead of AFCON 2025

By Mishael Emmanuel 

 

 

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has fired an early warning shot to the rest of Africa, insisting South Africa’s Bafana Bafana are being dangerously underrated ahead of AFCON 2025.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Thiaw questioned why many pundits have written off South Africa in the title race, despite their recent pedigree and cohesion.

“It is very strange to me that many experts exclude South Africa from the list of title contenders,” Thiaw said. 

“They play very good football and most of their players come from the same club, Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.”

The former Lions of Teranga forward believes Africa-based stars are still not getting the respect they deserve, as attention remains skewed toward Europe-based players.

“Unfortunately, we tend to focus only on players based in Europe and overlook those playing in Africa,” he added.

Thiaw’s warning is rooted in results, not sentiment. Bafana Bafana finished third at the last Africa Cup of Nations, a run that underlined their tactical growth, discipline, and growing confidence on the big stage.

“They finished third at the last Nations Cup and they are capable of going far again,” Thiaw said.

While South Africa looms large in his thinking, Senegal’s immediate focus is elsewhere.

The reigning African heavyweights will open their Group D campaign on Tuesday against Botswana, coached by Morena Ramoreboli, with a squad largely made up of home-based players.

Still, the message is audible enough, underestimate South Africa at your own risk. 

If AFCON 2025 is about fine margins and belief, Bafana Bafana already has one of Africa’s top coaches on high alert.