Senegal coach Lamine Sane wants his team to match the status of African champions at the U17 World Cup in Qatar. Speaking to FIFA, the 39-year-old described an ambition to compete for the title before Group F meetings with Croatia, Cuba and Tajikistan.
A short preparation for African success
Sane took charge two and a half weeks before the U17 Africa Cup of Nations. Senegal lost their opener 2-1 to South Africa, then beat Ghana 1-0 and Algeria 2-1 to top Group D.
They won their remaining matches on penalties. Sane credited goalkeeper Assane Sarr with 11 penalty saves at the tournament and praised the experience he had gained through earlier African competition and Qatar 2025.
A former Senegal international with 35 caps, Sane joined the under-17 staff as an adviser in 2025 before taking the head-coaching role after a spell at FC Bourges.
A collective identity
His playing career included Bordeaux, Werder Bremen, Orlando City and Utrecht. He began coaching at US Lormont after retirement, returning to a club connected with his early career.
Sane describes a Senegal side built on high pressing, transitions and collective intensity. He wants the team to use the pitch's width and length to create space and move opponents out of shape.
The next task is Group F. Sane says the staff have studied the opponents and are preparing for their different football backgrounds. Senegal's previous World Cup ended with a 1-0 defeat by Uganda in the round of 32 after winning their group.