Ibrahim Mbaye could not have dreamed of a greater begin. For his first begin with the Senegal nationwide staff, the younger Paris Saint-Germain winger delivered a masterful efficiency through the historic 8-0 victory for the Lions of Teranga in opposition to Kenya on Tuesday in Antalya. At solely 17 years outdated, he delivered a strong match, multiplying the decisive actions and confirming the hopes positioned in him for a number of months.
A baptism of fireside reworked into an illustration: Three days after a couple of encouraging minutes in opposition to Brazil, Pape Thiaw supplied him a beginning place in the proper lane of the Senegalese assault. Assured and decided, Mbaye wasted no time in making an impression. From the twelfth minute, he took benefit of a dangerous restoration from the Kenyan goalkeeper to serve El Hadji Malick Diouf behind: 2-0. 5 minutes later, he launched Sadio Mané deep for the Lions’ fourth objective. On the half-hour mark, it was once more he who brought about a penalty, transformed by Mané. Already concerned in three objectives in simply half-hour, Mbaye continued his momentum after the break. Within the forty seventh minute, he scored his very first objective for the choice with a left-footed shot, his weak foot, thus concluding an already distinctive night. He leaves the pitch on the hour mark to the applause of a delighted employees, whereas Senegal flies to the most important victory in its historical past: 8-0.
A range in full reconstruction underneath Pape Thiaw: This success clearly has collective worth. Since his appointment as head of the Lions, Pape Thiaw has advocated offensive, dynamic soccer, primarily based on mobility and taking initiative. Mbaye blended in completely with this venture. The coach didn’t hesitate to entrust him with duties from his first steps, and the younger Parisian’s response lived as much as expectations. CAN 2025 will start in a month in Morocco, and this match confirms that Senegal has offensive depth able to shaking up any African protection.
A reworked Mbaye: newfound confidence and newfound ambition: However past the victory and the statistics, it’s the mind-set of Ibrahim Mbaye which attracts consideration. The younger winger arrived within the choice with a transparent want: to regain confidence and rhythm. At PSG, he needed to face intense competitors, irregular enjoying time and the strain inherent to a really excessive degree membership. With Senegal, he discovered an setting that values him, a employees who believes in him and teammates who instantly put him in the most effective circumstances. This assembly might properly mark a turning level in his season. Mbaye leaves the gathering with the impression of getting reached a milestone: extra assured, extra incisive, extra decisive. He understood that he might affect a global match, carry the offensive play of an formidable choice and be current in key moments.
An anticipated return to PSG: In Paris, his return shall be adopted very intently. Luis Enrique is fastidiously observing the progress of his younger gamers, and Mbaye has simply despatched him a transparent message: he is able to battle to achieve enjoying time, able to shake up the hierarchy, able to convey a brand new offensive dynamic. The choice gave him again the psychological impetus he lacked. At 17, he by no means appeared extra positive of his potential. PSG is recovering a totally pumped-up participant, inflated with certainties, and now on an upward trajectory.
Kamel Arab for Paristeam



























Arsenal














































