Senegal coach Mame Moussa Cisse eye WAFCON 2026 semifinal spot and historic World Cup qualification

Head coach Mame Moussa Cisse has declared bold ambitions for the Senegal women’s national football team ahead of the upcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, insisting his youthful but battle-ready squad is targeting a historic place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

The Lionesses are intensifying preparations for the continental showpiece, scheduled to run from 17 March to 3 April, with a training camp underway in Dakar since 23 February. With momentum building and anticipation rising, Cissé has made it clear that his sights are set well beyond merely participating.

For the Senegalese tactician, the strength of his squad lies in its balance — a dynamic blend of emerging young talents guided by seasoned campaigners who understand the demands of top-level African competition.

“We have a group of young players mentored by older ones. They now know what it takes to compete at the highest level in Africa,” Cissé said confidently.

The coach emphasized that selection into his squad is strictly merit-based, with no compromises when it comes to quality or character.

“The criteria for all selections are the same: talent, skills, competitiveness, experience at the highest level and the ability to integrate into our group.”

This edition of WAFCON carries added significance, as it serves as a qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. For Senegal, the mission is crystal clear — reach the semi-finals and secure an unprecedented ticket to the global stage.

“Our ambition is to do better than the last two and reach the semi-finals to qualify our country for the first time for a Women’s World Cup,” he declared.

Having steadily grown in stature on the continental scene, the Lionesses are determined to transform potential into tangible success. The combination of fearless youth and invaluable experience has injected belief within the camp — belief that Senegal can break new ground and etch their name into history.

As the countdown to kickoff continues, Cissé’s message resonates with conviction: this is not just about competing in Africa — it is about chasing a World Cup dream and elevating Senegalese women’s football to new heights.