![[Interview] Mohamed Ghandour: "Ibrahima Mbaye must remain the X-factor on the bench"](https://image.seneweb.com/content/news/2026-26-22//thumb_1260x800_6a396a14c2709_ge7LO4N3Zw.jpg)
[Entretien] Mohamed Ghandour : "Ibrahima Mbaye doit rester le facteur X du banc"
Just hours before a crucial match against Norway, Senegal is fighting for its survival in this World Cup. Our guest, football consultant Dr. Mohamed Ghandour, didn't mince words. He offered a clear-eyed analysis of the defeat against France, discussed the team's tactical choices, and addressed off-field issues, answering all questions directly.
According to some sources, the team has recently been shaken by catering problems, in addition to the ongoing controversy surrounding Pape Thiaw's contract. Do you think this lack of organization could be affecting the players' morale?
No, we're dealing first and foremost with highly skilled professionals, accustomed to major events and pressure, not only from the media but also off the field. These are facts that have emerged, but they can be resolved quickly. I think all the statements issued immediately after these announcements demonstrated a swift response to these events. No, I don't believe this will affect the players' morale or motivation. Today, they are at the World Cup, representing their country. We are in a golden age for Senegalese football, and they are all aware that this is the moment to write the most glorious chapters in Senegalese football history at the World Cup. After the epic run of 2002, I think this team arrives with a great deal of maturity, whether in terms of sporting performance, teamwork, or administration.
Senegal lost their opening match against France 3-1. What do you think went wrong?
Regarding the match against France, I think the scoreline was harsh. For a good part of the game, we were physically and athletically on par with France. However, at the highest level, it's the tactical, technical, and mental details that make the difference. France won thanks to their mastery of periods of pressure and their ability to immediately punish the opponent's mistakes. We lost more due to our own shortcomings than to any overwhelming French dominance.
Ultimately, what cost us the match was the lack of space between the lines. The biggest weakness we observed was between the defensive midfield and the central area. Spaces appeared regularly, and France loves to play in that zone, where they have players who thrive, like Dembélé and Mbappé. The French midfielders often received the ball without pressure. As a result, they created gaps, unbalanced the defensive block, and generated dangerous chances.
Then, in defensive transitions, our positioning was too slow. We lost possession quickly while the players were still pushing forward. Against France, this was immediately punished: they scored by exploiting precisely those moments of disorganization. Emotional management also played a role. After missed opportunities and some questionable refereeing decisions, I felt the Senegalese team was less clear-headed. And above all, there was the issue of finishing in the penalty area. The major difference was made there: in the French penalty area, we had unused chances, and in the Senegalese penalty area, every mistake was costly. At the highest level, finishing is the difference between victory and defeat.
Senegal had several chances that our strikers failed to convert. Does Senegal really have a problem finding a prolific goalscorer?
Yes, it's true we had several chances to score. That's why we didn't win the match against France today. But I think beyond that, luck was also against us. Nicolas Jackson's shot rebounded off Mike Maignan's skillful touch and then came back out. That chance could have been a goal. So, I wouldn't say we have a problem with our strikers, but I think we need to look at how we can reconfigure our attack to get the most out of the forwards we've brought with us to this World Cup.
Some Senegalese believe that Pape Thiaw should play a 4-4-2 formation without his number 9, Jackson, but with Ismaïla Sarr playing a free role, as he did at Crystal Palace. Do you agree?
Wanting to play a 4-4-2 with two strikers, Ismaïla Sarr in the same style as at Crystal Palace with Mateta? Yes, that's an option. But if Sarr plays at Crystal Palace and does all that, it's because he has Mateta ahead of him, and we don't have Mateta's profile in this Senegal team. At that point, it might mean playing a 4-4-2 with Bamba Dieng and Ismaïla Sarr together, which is almost absurd. I don't think that's the right approach. For now, with the system we have in place and with the inside runs Ismaïla Sarr brings, he also manages to create openings on the other side for the other players. I think we should continue playing as we usually do, or else we'd have to change the entire squad. And we don't experiment like that.
Senegal will play against Norway, a defeat is out of the question. So, what's your gold ranking?
Look, for the lineup, I'd go with the same team as against France. Why the same team? Because the match against Norway is a very important one, a match we absolutely must win to secure our position and gain a better perspective. Today, we need experienced players, we need to implement the attacking patterns the group is used to, to manage the match with Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Niakhaté, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Krépin Diatta, and in midfield Pape Gueye and Gana, perhaps Habib Diarra instead of Lamine Camara, and the same attacking trio up front (Mané - Jackson - Sarr). Norway will want to control the game, and at that point, we'll have to bring on our strengths: the youngsters, like Ibrahima Mbaye, Ilimane Ndiaye, or Assane Diao, who will bring energy, speed, and attacking prowess, and who will be a constant threat to the Norwegians for 90 minutes. So, personally, I would go with the same group.
Should the Senegalese prodigy, Ibrahima Mbaye, be in the starting lineup today?
Ibrahima Mbaye, yes, we can start him. But for me, it's going to be a classic dilemma. It's true he's taken the world by storm, being the best young African goalscorer at the World Cup. The arguments for starting him are strong. But I prefer to keep him on the bench. Why? Because he'll be my secret weapon during the match. Tactically, he'll allow us to unbalance an already tired defense. Norway poses a physical challenge with Haaland and Ødegaard; World Cup matches are wars of attrition. Starting a more experienced and physically imposing player will tire out the Scandinavian block, and then we'll unleash a hungry lion into the heart of a sluggish defense.
With his unique ability to immediately get into the rhythm of the match, he will be dangerous.
Technically, starting him in a knockout match demands a tremendous amount of physical and mental energy, with strict defensive rules. Whereas when he comes on as a substitute, he's already relieved of some of the tactical constraints and, in one-on-one situations, his creativity will be explosive. Ibrahima Mbaye must remain the X-factor coming off the bench. For me, he's a game-changer, not a marathon runner. He'll bring a spark of unpredictability when the opponent is trying to control the game.
Against Norway, one name keeps coming up: Erling Haaland. Should we be afraid of him?
Haaland is definitely a player to watch. He's the spearhead of this team. But there's more to this team than just Haaland. We'll have to shut down the passing between Haaland and Ødegaard. And you have Sörloth on the other side too, who is very dangerous. We can't focus the match against Norway solely on Haaland. It's true that he's a player we'll have to keep an eye on, a player who can get Norway out of difficult situations. But I think the main plan is to prevent them from receiving the ball, by blocking the lines between Ødegaard and Haaland. That's where the defensive key to the match will be found.
During the match against France, we saw Kalidou Koulibaly and Gana Gueye both struggling. Should they start against Norway?
Idrissa Gueye and Kalidou Koulibaly must be in the starting lineup. As I said earlier, we need to start with an experienced structure to stabilize the team. Regarding what happened against France, yes, we always blame the players who weren't physically ready. But the mistake wasn't solely theirs. Yes, they were on the pitch, and they bear some responsibility for the defeat. But I think that at some point, we should have sensed from the bench that these players were tired and needed to be substituted. They had a superb first half against France; they were able to intercept passes and win them back. No, we can't start without these players. For me, we need to begin with an experienced structure, a structure that stabilizes the team, and then, as we progress, we'll bring in our strengths.
Sadio Mané was largely invisible during the match against France. Do you have any hope that he will bounce back against Norway?
We're hopeful he'll bounce back. Sadio is a truly great player. I don't think he can keep putting together performances that aren't up to his potential. He's shown some signs of fatigue lately, but I think Sadio Mané will recover quickly and get back on track. And above all, this match against Norway is crucial, so he needs to be ready.
And finally, what is your prediction for the Senegal vs Norway match?
I think Senegal will beat Norway by a score of 2 goals to 1.
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