Pape Bouna Thiaw is the current head coach of the Senegal national football team and a former Senegalese Forward.
Under his leadership, he has led the Senegal national team to win the AFCON 2025 in Morocco after beating the hosts 1-0 in extra time.
Pape was born on February 5, 1981, in Dakar, Senegal.
From a young age, he developed an interest in football. He played for local youth clubs in Dakar before being scouted to join the European and Senegal national teams.
Pape Thiaw Football Career: Golden Generation and European Success
Thiaw’s professional football career took off in the early 2000s when he became part of Senegal’s Golden Generation.
The Golden Generation is a group of Senegal players who left an indelible mark on African football after losing the AFCON 2002 final to Cameroon.
Also Read: Michel Nkuka Mboladinga: The Congolese Superfan Who Became an AFCON Icon
During his football career as a national team player, Pape earned 16 caps and scored five goals for the national team between 2001 and 2003.
Among his most memorable contributions was his iconic back-heel assist to Henri Camara for the ‘Golden Goal’ against Sweden in the 2002 FIFA World Cup round of 16, Senegal proceeding to Quarter Finals.
Thiaw has also played for several clubs across Europe, including France and Spain.
| Country | Club | Period |
| France | Saint-Étienne | 1998–1999 |
| Switzerland | SR Delémont | 1999 |
| France | Istres | 1999–2000 |
| Switzerland | Lausanne-Sport | 2000–2003 |
| France | RC Strasbourg | 2001–2002 |
| Russia | Dynamo Moscow (loan) | 2002 |
| France | FC Metz | 2003–2004 |
| Spain | Deportivo Alavés | 2004–2007 |
| Spain | Lorca Deportiva (loan) | 2007 |
| France | US Créteil | 2007–2008 |
| Spain | Atlético Ciudad | 2009 |
Also Read: Meet Four Kenyan Referees Selected to Officiate AFCON 2025 Matches in Morocco
Pape Thiaw’s Coaching Career with Senegal
After retiring from professional football in 2014, Thiaw transitioned into coaching.
As a coach, he first made headlines as the caretaker coach of Senegal’s home-based stars, guiding them to victory at the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN), played in 2023.
Senegal defeated the hosts, Algeria, on penalties to win the CHAN trophy in 2023.
In the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Morocco, he led the Teranga Lions to a historic triumph, defeating the host nation 1-0 in extra time.
With this victory, Thiaw became the first coach in history to win both CHAN and AFCON.
CAF Suspends Senegal Coach After AFCON 2025
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Commission suspended Senegal coach Pape Thiaw on 20th January 2025 following the AFCON 2025 final controversy.
Pape was seen ordering players off the pitch after Morocco were awarded a penalty in the last minutes of normal time. Individual players are also under investigation.
Following his action, Pape apologized for his mistakes.
“I regret asking my players to walk off the pitch. After reflecting, I brought them back. Sometimes you react in the heat of the moment. But we accept the referee’s mistakes. We apologize to football, said Pape
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