Senegal coach Pape Thiaw says the World Cup “starts now” as the Lions of Teranga prepare to face Belgium in the Round of 32 after scraping through the group stage.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw believes his side have put the disappointments of the group stage behind them and insists the FIFA World Cup truly begins now as the Lions of Teranga prepare to face Belgium in the Round of 32 on Wednesday in Seattle.

Senegal squeezed into the knockout stages as the lowest-ranked of the qualified third-placed teams after a dramatic conclusion to Group I.

Back-to-back defeats against France and Norway left their hopes hanging by a thread, but a commanding 5-0 victory over Iraq, coupled with a superior goal difference, was enough to secure a place in the knockout rounds.

The West Africans became the only team to progress after losing two group matches, but Thiaw believes that achievement has only strengthened his players’ mentality.

The coach, who featured in Senegal’s famous 2002 World Cup run, wants his current squad to embrace the opportunity to create a new chapter in the nation’s football history.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Thiaw praised Belgium’s quality but made it clear that his side are ready for the challenge. “We have a lot of respect for Belgium. They have shown they are a great football nation. We are ready, we are prepared,” he said. “We know Belgium finished first in their group, but we fought hard to qualify. It’s a new tournament now, and we need a win.”

Senegal will, however, be without first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy for the knockout tie. The Al Ahli shot-stopper missed the victory over Iraq after travelling back to Saudi Arabia for treatment and will not recover in time to feature against Belgium, although he is expected to rejoin the squad and could return later in the tournament.

Providing an update on Mendy’s condition, Thiaw said: “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’s qualification also forms part of a historic tournament for African football. Nine African nations reached the knockout rounds for the first time, a record helped by the expanded 48-team World Cup format.

While South Africa and Ivory Coast have already exited, Morocco have advanced to the round of 16 after eliminating the Netherlands on penalties, with DR Congo, Ghana, Egypt, Algeria, Cape Verde and Senegal all still dreaming of a deep run.

Victory over Belgium would see Senegal record their first World Cup knockout win since their unforgettable run to the quarter-finals in 2002, ending a 24-year wait for another victory in the elimination rounds.