Senegal – United States: Pape Thiaw reflects on the defeat and Bara Ndiaye's injury

31.05.26 FT Friendly International

USA

3

:

Senegal

2

Senegal fell to the United States (3-2) in a friendly match played Saturday night as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Lions of Teranga endured a tough start, conceding two goals in the opening minutes. Despite this shaky beginning, Pape Thiaw’s men managed to fight back, led by their captain Sadio Mané, who netted a brace to bring Senegal level with their opponents.

However, the Americans regained the lead thanks to Folarin Balogun, who scored in the 63rd minute to secure victory for his team.

Pape Thiaw: "We couldn't impose our game"

After the match, Pape Thiaw acknowledged the superiority of the opposition in several areas and highlighted the difficulties his side encountered.

"We didn’t win enough duels and we couldn’t impose our style of play or keep possession the way we wanted to," said the Senegalese head coach.

The manager also emphasized the need to keep working ahead of the World Cup: "We still have time to improve before the World Cup, but we face an intense week ahead to correct our mistakes and arrive in the best possible shape."

Pape Thiaw went on to praise the physical commitment of the American team: "The Americans have tremendous athletic power and put us under pressure in our own half. We tried to build up from the back, but they constantly disrupted us. Their strategy worked perfectly."

Reassuring news regarding Bara Ndiaye

The Senegalese coach also sought to reassure fans about Bara Ndiaye, who was forced off during the match. According to Pape Thiaw, the player was simply suffering from muscle cramps and there is no particular cause for concern. The medical staff will continue to monitor his condition in the coming days as a precaution.

United States – Senegal: Sadio Mané scores his 53rd international goal in his 125th appearance

Mohamed Rek |

Editorfr, ar, en

Mohamed Rek- sports content writer with over 10 years of experience creating football content in Arabic and French for platforms such as Foot Africa and Starafrica, combining accuracy, creativity, and audience engagement.

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