Senegal clinched its first major title in 2021, when the Teranga Lions dramatically beat Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations final in Yaoundé.
Their success at continental level raised expectations ahead of the 2022 World Cup, with head coach Aliou Cisse now looking to secure a path through the knockout stages.
Cissé’s plans suffered a major setback before traveling to Qatar, with star Sadio Mané ruled out through injury. But despite the added setback of losing their opening match against the Netherlands, Cissé and his players responded excellently and sealed a place in the round of 16 against England in Al Khor.
Here we take a closer look at the man leading the charge for Africans in Qatar.
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Who is the Senegal coach, Aliou Cissé?
A former versatile player, after retiring from professional football in 2009, Cissé joined the Senegalese national team three years later as part of the coaching staff for the under-23 team.
The Senegalese Football Association called again following its decision to sack Cisse’s former international teammate Amara Traore from the senior team, promoting Cisse and Karim Sega Diouf as joint interim bosses.
Cissé continued to balance that job with the task of leading Senegal’s under-23 team, until he formally took over as head of Senegal’s senior team in 2015.
The former midfielder led his team to the 2018 World Cup, where they were knocked out in the group stage, and a berth in the last 16 in 2022 has seen him break new ground as a manager.
Did Aliou Cisse play in the Premier League?
Internationally, Cissé’s most iconic moment came as captain of the Senegal national team, which made its World Cup debut in 2002 with a sensational win over defending champions France.
However, his club career was more discreet, with seasons in France and England between 1994 and 2009.
After moving to Paris with his family as a child, Cissé rose through the youth ranks at Lille, before playing for Sedan, Paris Saint-Germain and Montpellier, before joining Premier League side Birmingham City after the World Cup. from 2002.
Cissé played 36 Premier League games, in two seasons, for Steve Bruce’s side, as the Blues established themselves in mid-table.
In 2004, he moved to Portsmouth, making 23 top-flight appearances in two seasons, before returning to France to play for Sedan and Nimes.
Aliou Cisse’s playing career
- lilac (FRA), 1994-1997
- Sedan (FRA), 1997-1998
- paris saint germain (FRA), 1998-2002
- montpellier (Loan) (FRA), 2001-2002
- birmingham city (ENG), 2002-2004
- Portsmouth (ENG), 2004-2006
- Sedan (FRA), 2006-2008
- nimes (FRA), 2008-2009
Managed Aliou Cisse clubs
The vast majority of Cissé’s coaching experience comes from the Senegalese national team, with roles at the senior and under-23 teams.
He briefly assisted Jean Acedo at French club Louhans-Cuiseaux immediately after retiring from playing, but did not take up his own first-team manager role until 2012.
| Equipment | Role | Date |
| Louhans Cuiseaux | assistant coach | 2010-2011 |
| Senegal sub-23/Olympic team | Coach | 2012-2015 |
| senegalese national team | Joint Coach (Interim) | 2012-2015 |
| senegalese national team | Coach | 2015-present |
