Two 'bitter' defeats to France and Norway in Group I saw Senegal's hopes of progressing into the knockouts hanging by a thread as they took on Iraq, but a 5-0 win against the Asian side saw them through, thanks to a superior goal difference over the other teams that had three points.
They were the only side to make it through after losing two games, but Thiaw, who was part of the 2002 Senegal XI that won their last knockout game at a World Cup, wants his charges to show the quality that made them self-proclaimed 'AFCON champions'.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he told Flashscore and assorted media: "We have a lot of respect for Belgium, showed they are a great football nation. We are ready, we are prepared.
"...We know that the Belgium team were first in the group, but we fought hard to get a qualification, we knew we had to rebel to gain it, and it’s a new tournament that starts, and we need a win."
The only big miss for Thiaw's side is goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. He was absent in their win against Iraq, with his manager confirming he will not be available for the clash on Wednesday, but he will be on the West Coast, despite some lengthy air travel. The Al Ahli stopper flew back to Jeddah before heading back to the States on Tuesday.
Thiaw explained: "Mendy went back to his club (to receive treatment) and he’s going to get back to us tonight. He will be around tomorrow, and we hope he will be fit for the rest of the tournament."
Senegal were one of nine African nations to qualify for the knockouts, a new record for the continent, much owed to the expanded tournament where the number of countries able to qualify for the World Cup doubled from five to 10.
South Africa and the Ivory Coast have already fallen, whilst Morocco vanquished the Netherlands on penalties. DR Congo, Ghana, Egypt, Algeria, Cape Verde and Thiaw's Senegal are all yet to play. A win for the Lions of Terranga over the Belgians would end a 24-year wait for knockout glory at the World Cup.
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Josh Donaldson is a Global Senior Editor and International Football Specialist for Flashscore. From the UK, now living in Prague, Josh specialises in football and cycling and can be found at an obscure ground watching games or on his bike. You can follow Josh on X and read his articles here.
