Ivory Coast Mourns Former Football Federation President Ousseynou Dieng
The Ivorian football community is in mourning following the death of Ousseynou Dieng, the former president of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), who passed away in Paris after a prolonged illness.
Dieng, who led the FIF from 1990 to 2002, played a pivotal role in shaping modern Ivorian football. His tenure is most notably marked by Côte d’Ivoire’s historic first African Cup of Nations triumph in 1992, when the Elephants clinched the title after a dramatic final against Ghana.
His leadership left a lasting legacy, helping to lay the groundwork for the country’s emergence as a powerhouse in African football. Under his guidance, the national team built a strong identity and foundation that would eventually produce a new golden generation of Ivorian talent.
Beyond his national contributions, Dieng also served as president of the Union of West African Football Federations (UFOA), further extending his influence on the development of football across the region.
Though he had been battling illness for several weeks, it is believed he was able to witness the Elephants’ most recent African Cup of Nations victory earlier this year in Equatorial Guinea — a second continental title that echoed the glory of his own tenure more than three decades earlier.
Tributes have begun pouring in from across the sporting world, honouring Dieng as a visionary leader and respected figure in African football administration. His passing marks the end of an era for Ivorian football, but his contributions will be remembered as part of the nation’s rich sporting heritage.
