The Senegal Football Association has parted ways with its national football team coach Aliou Cisse barely days before the Lions of Teranga host the Flames in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier.
Senegal will face Malawi National Team in Dakar on October 11 with the return leg scheduled for four days later at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
A statement from the Senegalese FA says its emergency committee meeting held on Tuesday made the decision following Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Khady Diane Gaye’s directive not to approve the renewal of the contract.
Reads part of the resolutions: “ [The emergency committee] gives mandate to the president of the FA and the national technical director to set up an interim staff for the continuity of the team’s participation in the qualification phase for the Afcon 2025, given the urgency of the situation.”
However, former Malawi National Football Team coach and all-time top scorer Kinnah Phiri said the Flames should not read much into Cisse’s departure.
He said: “It would be wise for the Flames to concentrate on their preparations because I do not think Cisse’s departure will affect Senegal much. I am sure they will maintain part o fhis backroom staff for continuity sake.”
Last week, Cisse said he would announce his squad for the back-to-back qualifiers against the Flames tomorrow before regrouping on Sunday.
He also hinted at recalling two Europe-based players, forward Boulaye Diya, who plays for Italian Serie A side Lazio and France-based winger Krepin Diatta, who turns out for French Ligue 1 side Monaco.
Senegal are second in Group L Afcon qualifiers. They are tied on four points with group leaders Burkina Faso, who have a better goal difference.
Burundi are third with three points while the Flames anchor the group with no point.
Cisse delights in the glory of having led the Teranga Lions to their first-ever Afcon title in 2021. He also guided the team to the final of the 2019 edition which they lost 1-0 to Algeria.
He also led the Teranga Lions to two successive World Cup qualification in 2018 and 2022.
As a player, the 48-year-old tactician captained the Senegal national team’s golden generation at the 2002 Fifa World Cup where they stunned the then reigning champions France 1–0.
