Senegal Part Ways with AFCON-Winning Coach Aliou Cissé
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Loading... - Kwame Nyame
- 23 Dec 2024
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Aliou Cissé's nearly decade-long tenure as the head coach of the Senegal senior men's national football team has officially come to an end. The Senegal Football Federation confirmed on Wednesday that his contract would not be renewed by the country's sports ministry.
Cissé, 48, led Senegal to their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Cameroon in 2022. However, his contract, which expired in August, will not be extended as he was unable to meet the objectives outlined in his agreement, including the goal of retaining the AFCON title in Ivory Coast earlier this year. Additionally, Senegal's exit from the FIFA World Cup in 2022, where they were defeated by England in the round of 16, contributed to the decision.
The Senegalese Football Federation released a statement indicating that they received a confidential letter from the Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture, Mrs. Khady Diene Gaye, informing them of the non-renewal. The federation cited "the regression of our national team in the FIFA rankings" and concerns about the potential disenchantment between the team and the Senegalese public as reasons for this decision.
"Mr. Cissé is no longer covered by a contract duly approved by the state of Senegal and can no longer take charge of the national team," the federation stated. They have since invited the federation to assemble a technical team to ensure qualification for the 2025 Nations Cup, with an interim coaching staff set to oversee upcoming AFCON qualifying matches against Malawi on October 11 and 15.
Cissé was scheduled to announce his squad for those fixtures in a press conference on Friday, but that event has been canceled. The Senegalese Federation expressed gratitude to Cissé for his collaboration and achievements since he joined the national coaching setup in 2011, wishing him success in his future endeavors.
Since their AFCON elimination earlier this year, Senegal has not lost a competitive match in 90 minutes, winning four of their six matches, including away victories over Mauritania and Burundi in World Cup and AFCON qualifying. However, recent home performances, including two 1-1 draws against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso, have raised questions about Cissé's ability to maximize the potential of his talented squad.
Cissé, who captained the iconic Senegal team that defeated world champions France in their first World Cup appearance in 2002, began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the under-23 side in 2012. He had a successful playing career as a defensive midfielder, representing clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Birmingham City, and Portsmouth.
During this year's AFCON, Cissé faced health challenges, spending a night in a Yamoussoukro hospital after falling ill following Senegal's group-stage victory over Cameroon.
Tributes have poured in for Cissé from players and fans alike. Liverpool star Sadio Mané praised him on social media, stating, "You've been the positive embodiment of our national team during this decade." Goalkeeper Édouard Mendy also expressed his gratitude, reflecting on the historic moment when Senegal lifted their first AFCON trophy under Cissé's leadership.
