Aliou Cisse has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Senegal national football team after nearly ten years at the helm.
The 48-year-old, who led the Teranga Lions to their first Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title in February 2022, departs following a tenure marked by significant achievements.
Cisse’s contract, which had expired in August, was initially set for renewal by the Senegal Football Federation (FSF). However, the new sports ministry under Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s government opted to end his long-standing tenure just nine days before the next round of qualifiers for the 2025 Afcon.
In a statement, the FSF expressed gratitude for Cisse’s contributions, saying, “The FSF would like to thank Aliou Cisse for his good collaboration and his brilliant results at the head of various national selections and wishes him every success for the future.”
Despite overseeing a successful era for Senegal, the decision to part ways with Cisse came as a surprise, particularly since he had already called a press conference for Friday to announce his squad for upcoming matches against Malawi.
Cisse, who earned 35 caps as a player for Senegal, took charge of the national team in March 2015 and helped establish the Teranga Lions as Africa’s top-ranked team for over four years.
His leadership culminated in Senegal’s triumph in the 2021 Afcon, where they defeated Egypt in a penalty shootout. This victory came three years after they finished as runners-up in the 2019 edition. However, the team faced disappointment earlier this year, exiting the title defense in the last 16 following a penalty shootout loss to hosts Ivory Coast.
Under Cisse, Senegal also qualified for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, though they were eliminated in the group stage and last 16, respectively. Following the latest world rankings update, Morocco has since taken over as Africa’s highest-ranked nation, pushing Senegal to second place.
Currently, Senegal sits in second place in their qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup, trailing leaders Sudan by two points after four rounds of matches. The FSF indicated that Khady Diene Gaye, Senegal’s Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture, did not approve a proposed one-year contract extension for Cisse.
The reasons cited for the decision included the “failure to achieve the objectives assigned in November 2022,” which were to reach the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup and to secure the 2023 Afcon title. The FSF also noted a “regression” in world rankings and a “risk of disaffection between our national team and the Senegalese in general.”
The FSF has not yet announced an interim coaching team as Senegal prepares for the upcoming 2025 Afcon qualifiers.
Cisse’s coaching journey began in 2011 with the FSF, where he worked with the Under-23 team, including their campaign at the 2012 Olympics, before being appointed head coach of the senior national team. As a player, he was part of Senegal’s first golden generation and captained the team at the 2002 World Cup, where they achieved a historic quarter-final finish after stunning the reigning champions, France.
Cisse’s legacy in Senegalese football will remain significant, not only for his coaching successes but also for his remarkable journey through both triumphs and personal tragedies, including the loss of eleven family members in the tragic Joola ferry disaster.
