Aliou Cissé announces departure from Libya national team

The Libya national team will be searching for a new head coach after Senegalese tactician Aliou Cissé announced his departure on social media channels Wednesday.

 

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The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champion and Coach of the Tournament took to his Instagram to pay respect to the players and supporters of the Mediterranean Knights:

“This March has been very special for me as it marked my last gathering as coach of the Libyan national team. This adventure has been incredibly enriching, both professionally and personally, and I couldn’t leave without saying a few words to you.

To the staff and players, despite the difficulties we faced, I am proud of the work we accomplished together and the results achieved. I have great faith in this team and I have no doubt that you will continue your efforts to help it grow.

To the Libyan fans, I want to thank you for the warm welcome you gave me, your passion, and your support. I will never forget you. I know our knights can always count on you.

I wish you all the best for the future.”

At the time of publication, there has been no announcement from Libyan football authorities regarding this development. Cissé finished up his tenure with a 2-2 draw against Liberia following a scoreless draw with Niger in friendly matches played during the March FIFA window.

Cissé accumulated a record of three victories, five draws and two defeats with the national team. Notably, he took charge for the majority of Libya’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign where they finished third in Group D behind Cameroon and group winners Cape Verde.

The North African nation had an outside chance of qualification but the pivotal result came in early October, when they squandered a 3-1 lead at home to draw Cape Verde in dramatic fashion.

Otherwise, Cissé did form his team into a capable unit that defeated Angola away from home during this final stretch before their momentum was halted by eventual qualifiers Cape Verde.

Aliou Cissé: A highly respected football mind in Africa

Of course, the 2022 CAF Coach of the Year is best known for the long period spent with his native country Senegal. Appointed in March 2015, he led the West African nation at the 2018 World Cup were they were eliminated from the group stage in heartbreaking fashion due to the Fair Play tiebreaker.

He led the Lions of Teranga to the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where they were defeated 0-1 by Algeria, before conquering the 2021 edition with a penalty kick shootout victory over Egypt in Cameroon.

A knockout stage appearance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was followed by an elimination at the Round of 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which spelled the end of a nine-year tenure.

But the former defensive midfielder, who played for the Lions of Teranga during their breakout quarterfinal finish at the 2002 World Cup, is credited with beginning a new era that has seen Senegalese football gain an unprecedented level of respect and prominence. His name will certainly be in high demand for future coaching opportunities on the continent and elsewhere.