The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) has announced that Aliou Cisse will not have his contract extended after nine years as head coach of the national team. Cisse, who has been in charge of the Teranga Lions since 2005, was in talks for a one-year extension after his contract expired in August. However, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture rejected the proposed extension, leading to the FSF’s decision.
In a statement, the FSF thanked Cisse for his collaboration and results, wishing him success in the future. Cisse’s departure comes just before Senegal’s upcoming matches against Malawi in the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The FSF has appointed an interim coaching staff to prepare the team for the matches in October.
During his tenure, Cisse led the team through various tournaments, including two World Cups and the AFCON. Senegal reached the finals of AFCON 2019 under his leadership but lost to Algeria. In 2022, Cisse guided the team to their first AFCON title against Egypt.
However, recent performances, such as the early exit in the 2023 AFCON, raised concerns about the team’s direction under Cisse. Despite introducing young talent, criticism of his tactical decisions and reliance on veteran players grew louder.
Moving forward, the FSF will look to appoint a new head coach to lead the national team and continue their quest for success in international competitions. Cisse’s legacy with Senegal will be remembered for the achievements and milestones he reached during his time as head coach.