Senegal women keep coach Mame Moussa Cissé but revamp backroom team

Senegal have confirmed Mame Moussa Cissé will remain head coach of the women’s national team, ending months of uncertainty but introducing a significant change to his backroom staff.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has formally settled the question surrounding the leadership of the Lionesses, opting for continuity ahead of the next Africa Cup of Nations.

While the decision brings clarity after a prolonged period of doubt, it also marks a shift within the technical structure supporting the team.

Cissé, who has been in charge of the women’s national side, will continue in his role despite the federation having opened applications for the position in November 2025.

That move had cast uncertainty over his future, with the coaching position effectively put up for review.

For several months, the situation remained unresolved, leaving the coach’s position unclear as the federation assessed potential candidates.

The final decision, however, has gone in favour of maintaining stability, with Cissé retained as head coach.

His reappointment is closely linked to his record with the team.

During his tenure, he has guided Senegal to three successive qualifications for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

On two of those occasions, the team progressed to the quarter-finals, underlining a level of consistency in continental competition.

Those results appear to have weighed heavily in the federation’s decision-making process.

Continuity at this stage provides a degree of stability as the team prepares for future tournaments, particularly with the Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon.

However, while the head coaching role remains unchanged, the composition of the technical staff will not.

The FSF has introduced a notable adjustment by appointing a new assistant coach.

Soukeyna Cissé, who had been serving as the assistant, will no longer occupy that position.

In her place, Mbayang Thiam has been named as part of the new technical setup.

Thiam previously worked with the national women’s under-20 side, bringing experience from youth-level management into the senior team environment.

This change represents a significant shift in the internal structure of the coaching staff.

While the reasons for the adjustment have not been detailed, the decision indicates a desire to refresh elements of the technical team while maintaining overall continuity through the head coach.

The integration of a coach from the under-20 setup may also suggest an effort to strengthen links between different levels of the national programme.

Such a move can facilitate continuity in player development, although the immediate focus remains on the senior team’s performance.

For Mame Moussa Cissé, the coming period will involve adapting to this new dynamic within his staff while continuing to lead the team.

Maintaining performance levels and building on previous achievements will be key as Senegal prepares for upcoming competitions.

The months of uncertainty that preceded this decision had left open the possibility of change at the top.

By ultimately choosing to retain Cissé, the federation has signalled confidence in his ability to guide the team forward.

At the same time, the restructuring of his support staff introduces a new element that could influence how the team operates.

Adjustments within the technical team often bring changes in approach, even when the head coach remains the same.

Senegal’s women’s national team has established a degree of consistency in recent years, particularly through repeated qualifications for major tournaments.

The challenge now will be to build on that foundation and aim for further progress.

The federation’s decision reflects a balance between stability and change.

By keeping the head coach while modifying the supporting staff, the FSF appears to be seeking continuity in leadership alongside a refreshed technical perspective.

As preparations continue for the next Africa Cup of Nations, attention will turn to how this new configuration performs.

The effectiveness of the coaching team will be measured not only by results but also by the team’s ability to develop and compete at the highest level.

For now, the uncertainty surrounding the coaching position has been resolved.

Mame Moussa Cissé remains at the helm, tasked with leading Senegal into its next phase, supported by a reshaped technical team.