Aliou Cissé named Angola coach

Senegalese legend Aliou Cissé has been unveiled as the Angola national team coach, a few days after leaving a similar role with Libya.

 

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The Angolan Football Federation (FAF) unveiled the 50-year-old on Thursday when he signed a four-year contract.

Speaking during his unveiling, the former Teranga Lions captain and coach said he is looking forward to good things to come with the Palancas Negras.

“I arrive here with great ambition and I am eager to start working with the group so that together we can write a beautiful story,” Cissé said.

The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations title-winning coach hopes to inspire the hugely underachieving team that flattered to deceive at the last continental tournament held in Morocco.

For a team that draws the bulk of its players in Europe, the 2023 quarterfinalists failed to navigate their way past the 2025 AFCON group stage.

Cissé spent nine years at the helm of the Senegal national team from 2015 to 2024, reaching the 2019 AFCON final before eventually winning the title two years later. However, his reign with Libya lasted just 10 games amid reports of unpaid dues.

It is clear that the Angolan Football Federation has placed their faith in the former Lions of Teranga player, who featured during his nation’s famous 2002 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal run.

FAF president Alves Simoes echoed such optimism during the unveiling of Cisse in Luanda.

“Today is a day of renewal, a day on which we rekindle hope and reaffirm with conviction our ambition for the future of national football,”  said Simoes.

For Cisse to succeed, he needs time and patience from the Angolan football authorities. Surely transitioning from a Francophone to a Lusophone country will bring challenges but the tactician helped Libya achieve notable results, including a 1-0 victory away from home against his new team during 2026 World Cup qualifying.