The 48-year-old led the Teranga Lions to their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 2022, but his tenure has ended just days before the next round of qualifiers.

Cisse's contract expired in August, but he stayed on to manage Senegal in two 2025 AFCON qualifiers last month—a 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso and a 1-0 win over Burundi.

Despite the FSF's request to extend his contract, the sports ministry, led by Bassirou Diomaye Faye, decided not to renew it.

Cisse, who earned 35 caps for Senegal as a player, was appointed head coach in March 2015.

Under his leadership, Senegal rose to the top of African football, maintaining their status as Africa’s highest-ranked team for over four years. The pinnacle of his tenure came in February 2022 when Senegal won their first-ever AFCON title, defeating Egypt on penalties.

Cisse also guided Senegal to the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022, reaching the group stage and the last 16, respectively.

However, the Teranga Lions' title defense at AFCON earlier this year ended in disappointment when they were eliminated in the last 16 by eventual champions Ivory Coast.

The FSF's decision to part ways with Cisse has come as a surprise, especially as he had been preparing to announce his squad for this month’s AFCON qualifiers against Malawi.

According to a statement from the FSF, the decision was based on the team's failure to meet key objectives, including a quarter-final appearance at the 2022 World Cup and securing a second AFCON title in 2023.

The team's drop in FIFA rankings and concerns over waning public support were also cited as contributing factors.

Senegal are currently second in their 2026 World Cup qualifying group, trailing Sudan by two points.

The FSF has yet to announce an interim coaching team ahead of the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.

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