The president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) was “very sad” to see the winning coach of the African Cup of Nations Aliou Cisse left his position last month following a directive from the country’s Ministry of Sports.
Cisse, who led the West Africans to win their first Nations Cup (Afcon) title in February 2022, was sacked after almost a decade in the role, with the FSF and the Ministry of Sports paying the salary of the national coach, disagreeing about the decision. .
During his tenure, Senegal were also runners-up at the 2019 Afcon and reached two FIFA World Cups, and the 48-year-old had not lost a competitive match, other than on penalties, since early last year.
“Before his arrival we had never won a continental trophy,” FSF boss Augustin Senghor told BBC Sport Africa.
“This was huge for us. That’s why I think it was good to let him finish his job, because Senegal is in a transition phase.
“He left due to a government decision. We respect him because we respect authority.”
Although Cisse’s contract had expired in August, he remained in the opening match of the 2025 Afcon qualifiers in September, picking up four points from two matches and was hoping to receive a 12-month contract extension.
“He was surprised, but the message he gave was that he didn’t want to create a difficult crisis,” Senghor explained.
“He is very committed to his country. He said: ‘President, I will support Senegalese football because I am a son of this country.'”
