Senegal Coach Cissé’s success, the results of consistency
Aliou Cisse dedicated Senegal’s first Africa Cup of Nations triumph to the country’s people after a nail-biting final victory over seven-times winners Egypt
Liverpool striker Sadio Mane who had earlier missed a seventh-minute spot-kick, converted the decisive penalty in the shoot-out after the game had finished 0-0 following extra time to spark ecstatic celebrations both at the Stade d’Olembe in Yaounde and back at home.
Head coach Cisse, who missed in a shoot-out as Senegal lost the 2002 final to Cameroon, said at his post-match press conference: “I am African champion. It was long, it was difficult, sometimes complicated, but we never gave up. Cissé has coached Senegal for 8 years, with Bafana Bafana he can never.
This shows that when you separate politics from football, anything is possible.
20 years ago as captain of Senegal, Aliou Cisse and the Teranga Lions lost to Cameroon in the AFCON 2002 final and now in Cameroon, he leads Senegal Flag of Senegal to their first ever AFCON trophy as coach.
“I dedicate this victory to the Senegalese people. For years, we have been chasing this cup. Today we will be able to put a star on our jersey.
“Winning the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon has a special meaning. Winning against the most successful team in Africa is another symbol.”
Cisse paid particular tribute to his staff after seeing keeper Edouard Mendy save Mohamed Abdelmonem’s penalty to allow Mane to redeem himself as he clinched a 4-2 success.
He said: “For almost seven years, we have been working. Good job, guys.”
Success might delay but it can never be denied with consistency. He lost a final as a player in 2002, lost a final as a manager in 2019, and now he’s become the man to deliver Senegal their first ever AFCON title.
