November 20 – The president of Senegal’s football federation says he didn’t want Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach Aliou Cisse to leave his role last month on the instructions of the country’s sports ministry.
Cisse, who led Senegal to their first ever Afcon title in 2022, was let go after nearly a decade in charge – with the FSF and sports ministry at odds over the decision which appears to fly in the face of FIFA rules concerning government interference.
During his tenure, Senegal were also runners-up at the 2019 Afcon and reached two World Cups, and the 48-year-old had not lost a competitive match, other than on penalties, since the start of last year.
“Before he arrived we had never won a continental trophy,” FSF chief Augustin Senghor told the BBC. “This was enormous for us. For this reason I think it was good to let him finish his job, because Senegal is in a phase of transition.
“He went because of a decision by government. We respect it because we respect the authority.”
Although Cisse’s contract had expired in August, he stayed on for September’s opening 2025 Afcon qualifiers, picking up four points from two games.
Senghor had wanted Cisse to finish the current Afcon qualifying campaign. “We think it would have been better if he stayed for one more year to finalise the transition and leave with honour.”
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