Cisse steps down as Senegal Head Coach after nine and half years

Aliou Cisse has stepped down from his position as Senegal’s head coach after nine and a half years in charge of the Teranga Lions.

Cisse, 48, led Senegal to their first continental title, winning the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and even though his previous contract ended in August, he remained in charge for Senegal’s two 2025 Afcon qualifiers last month, a 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso and a 1-0 victory over Burundi.

Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) wanted Cisse’s deal to be renewed but the sports ministry, under Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s new government, decided to end his long tenure just nine days before the next round of qualifiers.

The timing of the move comes as a surprise as Cisse had already called for a press conference on Friday to announce his squad for this month’s double-header against Malawi.

Cisse, who won 35 caps for Senegal as a player, took charge in March 2015.

He helped establish the Teranga Lions as Africa’s top-ranked side for over four years.

Their Nations Cup title won on penalties against Egypt in Cameroon, came three years after finishing as runners-up at the 2019 edition of the finals.

However, the defence of the AFCON trophy earlier this year ended in the last 16 stages after a penalty shootout defeat against hosts and eventual champions Ivory Coast.