The fate of Aliou Cissé as the coach of the Senegalese national team remains uncertain, but one thing is certain: this premature elimination in the 2023 AFCON hints at potential changes in the Senegalese football landscape.
The 2023 AFCON will be remembered as a tournament marked by ups and downs, but mostly by Senegal’s premature elimination, the defending champions. Aliou Cissé, who had brilliantly led his team to victory in the previous edition, is now facing questions about his ability to steer the ship.
Aliou Cissé Lost the Tactical Challenge
It must be said that in this encounter against Ivory Coast, he never managed to provide a tactical answer to the opponent’s dominance. From the opening goal, scored in the 4th minute by Habib Diallo, Senegal stopped playing. Aliou Cissé’s men remained practically under Ivorian domination for 70 minutes.
The choices of the Senegalese coach to play with only two midfielders against the Ivorian armada were surprising. Seko Fofana, Ibrahim Sangaré, and Jean Michael Seri roamed without much opposition. This tactical flaw persisted throughout the match, or almost. Aliou Cissé notably delayed his reaction, and his team, exhausted, could do little after Ivory Coast’s equalizer. The defeat thus bears the mark of the coach, for many observers.
Following the premature elimination of the Senegalese national team from the round of 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, all attention naturally turns to Aliou Cissé. The defeat against Ivory Coast, the host country, on a score of 1-1 (4-5 penalty shootout), has cast doubt on what lies ahead for the Senegalese technician at the helm of the Lions.
What Future for Aliou Cissé ?
Former Senegalese international with 35 caps to his name, Aliou Cissé took over the national team in 2015. Under his guidance, Senegal achieved commendable performances, notably reaching the quarterfinals of the 2017 AFCON, then becoming finalists in the following edition before winning the title in 2021, a first for the country. However, this premature elimination in the 2023 AFCON raises questions about Cissé’s future. Is it the end of a cycle for this 47-year-old coach? Does he still have something to offer the national team?
At the post-match press conference, Aliou Cissé avoided questions about his future by stating: “We’ll see what the future holds. I first need to digest this defeat, as everyone is disappointed. There will surely be discussions with the federation, but my future matters little at the moment.” This response suggests that the coach will take time to reflect on his situation before making any decision.
With a record of 60 wins, 20 draws, and 12 defeats since taking office, Aliou Cissé has proven his ability to lead the Senegalese national team. However, this unexpected elimination highlights the challenges he may face in the years to come. The final decision regarding his tenure as the head of the Lions will be made after thorough deliberations among all parties involved.
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