Aliou Cissé, the coach of the Senegal national team, has made a decisive choice regarding the team’s future, opting to prioritize the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) over the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In an exclusive interview with Génération After on RMC, Cissé delved into the pivotal decision between embarking on a potential “crazy journey” at the 2026 World Cup, akin to Morocco’s impressive semi-final run in 2022, or pursuing another triumph at the upcoming 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Surprisingly, despite having savored victory in the AFCON previously, Cissé unequivocally chose the AFCON 2025.
“The AFCON is special,” Cissé emphasized. “Even if you win a World Cup, the AFCON remains very special. But we know that Senegal is capable of winning the World Cup in the future, that’s clear and clear.
Now, with this generation coming to an end, it would be good to go out through the front door, which is, in reality, to bring back (in 2025) this Cup (AFCON) which escaped us in Côte d’Ivoire.”
Senegal, the title holders during the last AFCON edition in Ivory Coast, faced a setback in their quest for back-to-back titles, being eliminated in the round of 16 by the host country (1-1, 4-5 on penalties).
Despite renewed confidence from the team’s leaders following this disappointment, Cissé now faces heightened expectations for success at the upcoming AFCON 2025.
The coach’s future with the Lions hinges significantly on their performance at AFCON2025, with his probable contract extension contingent upon a strong showing in Morocco.
Another underwhelming performance could spell the end of Cissé’s tenure at the helm of the Senegalese national team.
With Cissé’s unwavering focus on reclaiming the AFCON title in 2025 and the stakes higher than ever, Senegal’s footballing future hangs in the balance as they strive to achieve their ambitions on the continental stage.
