Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has played down any suggestion of an easy outing against Botswana, insisting his side has done its homework and must remain focused on the task ahead.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Thiaw stressed that the Teranga Lions have prepared thoroughly to deal with Botswana’s tactical approach.
“We studied Botswana very well. We prepared properly to break down that kind of defensive block,” Thiaw said. “We will be up against a very good team.” His comments reflect an awareness of the challenges posed by well-organised opponents and the need for patience and discipline.
Thiaw also addressed squad-related matters, choosing not to reopen a previous disagreement involving the Como coach. “I don’t want to go back to the issue with the coach of Como,” he explained. “Regarding Habib Diarra, communication was much smoother with his club, and we saw that everything went well until he was able to join the camp normally.”
While acknowledging the expectations that come with leading reigning African champions, Thiaw called for calm and consistency. “Of course there are expectations, but we have to take it match by match,” he said, underlining his focus on steady progress rather than added pressure.