The Teranga Lions of Senegal have parted company with Coach ALIOU CISSE, who led them to their Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2022 and the past two World Cup tournaments.

The initiative came from Senegal sports minister KHADY DIENE GAYE, citing a government request not to renew his contract. CISSE, a former captain of the national team and Paris Saint-Germain player, took over as coach in 2015 and led the country to their first AFCON title two years ago.

Senegal also reached the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup but fell at the same stage of this year’s AFCON, where they were eliminated by hosts and eventual champions Ivory Coast.

The Senegalese FA said an interim coaching team would replace the 48-year-old CISSE for the two 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Malawi this month.