Senegal coach Aliou Cissé ousted ahead of AFCON qualifiers

Senegal’s national football team coach, Aliou Cissé, has been ousted from his position just days before the announcement of his squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Cissé, who has been at the helm for nearly a decade, guided the Teranga Lions to significant achievements, including winning the AFCON title in 2022 and participating in the last two World Cups.

The decision to not renew Cissé’s contract was announced by the Senegalese football federation on Wednesday, following a request from the government to make the change. While the exact reasons for this request were not fully disclosed, the federation’s letter indicated concerns regarding the team’s performance in recent tournaments, a decline in its FIFA ranking, and potential deterioration in the relationship between the national team and the public.

During his tenure, Cissé led Senegal to two AFCON finals, ultimately claiming victory in 2022. However, the team’s performance in the latest tournament did not meet expectations, as they were eliminated in the round of 16 by host nation Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout. This early exit contributed to mounting pressure for change, especially considering that the team was unable to defend its African title.

The Senegalese soccer federation expressed gratitude to Cissé in its statement, acknowledging his contributions and the successful results he achieved during his time as coach. Notably, Senegal’s journey to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was hampered by the absence of star forward Sadio Mané, who was sidelined due to injury.

Cissé was scheduled to hold a press conference on Friday to announce his squad for the upcoming qualifiers for the 2025 AFCON, making the timing of his dismissal particularly striking. The sports ministry’s recommendations cited several factors for not renewing his contract for another year, including failing to meet recent tournament objectives and the team’s slip in FIFA rankings. As of now, Senegal is ranked 21st in the world, a decline from its record high earlier in the year.

One of the critical aspects surrounding Cissé’s ousting is the potential conflict with FIFA regulations that prohibit government interference in the management of member federations. It remains to be seen how this situation will develop, particularly in light of the importance of maintaining the independence of football federations from political pressures.

Despite the turmoil surrounding Cissé’s departure, the Senegalese national team remains unbeaten in its qualifying group for the upcoming AFCON. The team is set to face Malawi in both home and away matches later this month, which will be crucial for maintaining its position in the group.

In addition to AFCON qualifiers, Senegal is also in contention for the 2026 World Cup, where it currently sits in its qualifying group, trailing leader Sudan by two points after four of the ten rounds. The Teranga Lions are scheduled to resume their World Cup qualifying campaign in March against Sudan, adding another layer of urgency to the federation’s decision-making process.

As the search for Cissé’s replacement begins, the federation has indicated that an interim coaching team will be appointed for the upcoming matches. The new leadership will face the challenge of rallying the team and maintaining the momentum built over the past decade, while also addressing the public’s expectations and aspirations for the national squad.

In conclusion, Cissé’s dismissal marks a significant turning point for Senegal’s national football team. His departure underscores the pressures and challenges faced by coaches in high-stakes environments, particularly in the world of international football. The upcoming matches will serve as a litmus test for the new coaching staff and the direction of Senegalese football as they aim to rebuild and achieve their ambitious goals on both the continental and global stages.