A sudden change in leadership within Senegalese Football Federation has drawn criticism from former youth coach Pape Ibrahima Faye, who says he was not formally informed of his dismissal before it became public.
The federation recently appointed Lamine Sané as the new head coach of Senegal’s under-17 national team, just weeks before the start of the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The decision brings an end to Faye’s two-year tenure in charge of the Young Lions.
However, Faye has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with how the transition was handled
. According to the former coach, he only became aware of his removal through reports circulating online and in the media, rather than through direct communication from the federation.
“I read on social media and in the press, like everyone else, that I was fired from the national team. But nobody told me anything. Nothing was said either regarding preparations for the next Africa Cup of Nations (May 13 to June 2, 2026 in Morocco). So, you could say I’m no longer the coach.”
His remarks highlight concerns about internal communication within the federation at a critical time for Senegalese football, particularly as preparations intensify for a major continental tournament.
The timing of the coaching change is notable. With the U17 Africa Cup of Nations set to begin on 13 May, Sané has less than a month to prepare the team for competition.
Senegal have been drawn in a challenging group alongside South Africa, Algeria and Ghana, meaning expectations will be high from the outset.
Sané, a former Senegal international with 28 caps, now faces the task of guiding the team through a difficult opening phase while also attempting to rebuild momentum following last year’s disappointment.
Senegal were unable to retain their title at the previous edition of the tournament, also hosted in Morocco, during Faye’s time in charge.
For Faye, the manner of his departure appears to be as significant as the decision itself.
His comments suggest a breakdown in communication between the technical bench and the governing body, raising questions about administrative processes within the federation.
Despite the controversy, the focus will quickly shift to the upcoming tournament.
Senegal’s youth teams have built a strong reputation in recent years, and maintaining that standard will be a key objective under the new coach.
The coming weeks will therefore be crucial for Sané, who must quickly implement his ideas and prepare the squad for a demanding competition.
At the same time, the federation may face continued scrutiny over how the coaching transition was handled.
