Senegal’s Football Federation (FSF) has extended the contract of coach Aliou Cisse by a year, but has also tasked him with ensuring the Teranga Lions reach the finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“In the assessment of his contract, we feel he achieved his initial goal of qualifying the team for the World Cup, after which the whole world recognizes that he was able to bring the Senegalese team up to an appreciable level,” FSF president Augustin Senghor said after a meeting on Thursday to review the team’s performance.
Senegal impressed at the World Cup Group stage, beating Poland 2-1 in their opening match before drawing 2-2 with Japan. They however lost their final game to Colombia by 1-0, and were bundled out of the competition on the fair play rule after finishing level on points with Japan but with more cards.
“We do not see why he should not continue, so we have assigned him mission to reach the 2019 Nations Cup final,” Senghor added.
“Through his remarks, it was clear Cisse is aiming for this goal himself, and Senegal wants the trophy.”
Coach Cisse took over as coach of the Teranga Lions in March 2015, and he led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2017 AFCON in Gabon.
Before then, he coached Senegal’s under-23 side at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
