The departure of Aliou Cissé from the bench of the National Team was made official this Tuesday by the FSF. A separation which surprised more than one even if the atmosphere already left the beginnings of an inevitable divorce hovering. Tense speech, criticized game system, regression of the team… among other reasons which precipitated the departure of El Tactico.
Popular but not convincing in the game
After the departure of Alain Giresse the day after the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegalese people launched the Aliou Cissé campaign. The former captain of the Lions, then assistant to Karim Séga Diouf with the Olympic selection, is installed on the bench of the National Team. At the time, Aliou Cissé was seen as the messiah who would put the national team back on track, after the setbacks perpetrated.
But what was notable with the arrival of Aliou Cissé was the fact that it was a national request and not just a federal decision. However, the former captain of the Lions only had one real experience at that time: assisting the bench of the national Olympic team. He was part of the great London 2012 campaign with his future executives, notably Sadio Mané and Cheikhou Kouyaté… Equipped enough to hold the reins of La Tanière?
“Strong in front of the small, weak in front of the big”
A first African Cup of Nations campaign ended with an elimination in the quarter-final against Cameroon will give rise to the first criticisms towards the Senegalese technician. His tactical notion is then called into question. Opinion considered that Cissé had lost the match due to tactical shortcomings while Senegal was stronger than Cameroon in this quarter-final. The famous question of the “low block” is theorized and the game proposed by the Lions under the leadership of Cissé suffers fundamentally.
Criticisms that Cissé has not always been able to contain, particularly in the face of the press. A mostly tense relationship with the press. Little by little, he builds his team and will even recover the first African place in 2018. The secret, Cissé does not lose his qualifying matches and wins without convincing even against second-rate opponents. First African nation in the FIFA rankings, a rank worthy of a continental trophy? In any case, Cissé will put it on the table for a long time, each time his lack of title and background in the game came up in the debates.
The march towards conquest
The day after the disillusionment in the final, in Cairo during CAN 2019, Aliou Cissé takes on Brazil to restart his machine towards conquest. What a bet! Neymar’s Brazil to recover while Senegal came out of a bitter evening against the Fennecs. However, Aliou will challenge the Auriverdes to snatch a draw (1-1). Ah there! The Senegalese regained confidence in their team and united behind Cissé. In the meantime, Cissé will even break the record for longevity on the throne with more than 36 months as 1is African country in the FIFA rankings.
At the dawn of the 33e edition of the African Cup of Nations, it is a unifying Aliou Cissé who presents himself in front of the Senegalese. He is renewing a better relationship with the press in particular and asking for the trust and prayers of the Senegalese people. The coach who did not have this tender relationship with the press, who felt the tension between his people and him, had calmed down to seek glory.
From El Tactico to Cissé exudes…
For Cissé, his third campaign was the right one. He believed he had gained enough experience to lift the continental trophy. 4 weeks later, on the evening of February 6, 2022, Cissé will win the first continental star in Senegal against Egypt. The result was popular and consistent choices that were unanimously agreed upon. Careful media releases, responses to measured and fair-play criticism… Cissé blended into popular fervor to dare to challenge adversaries despite Covid19.
Without doubt the second most criticized Senegalese personality, Aliou Cissé will be baptized “El Tactico” the day after his continental coronation. He has become the darling of the Senegalese who improvise songs in his honor to thank him for the long-awaited title. Advised as he is, he will come out during an interview with Wiwsport: “I am celebrated today, but tomorrow I will be insulted by the same people because they will not be happy with me…”. The reality of sport. A prediction from Cissé?
That’s the least we can say. Since the Senegalese technician will find his old demons at the 2022 World Cup. His choices during the match against England were criticized by many observers. Cissé had suffered a wave of harsh criticism over his tactical choices and his departure was requested the day after the elimination of the Lions. He did not achieve the objective assigned for this purpose: the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
The 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 system at the origin of disenchantment
The defense of the continental title at CAN 2023 in Ivory Coast was a godsend for Cissé to be forgiven by the Senegalese public. Senegal looked too good at the 2022 World Cup and the CAN should serve as a rebound for El Tactico who seemed to be losing their tactics. Notwithstanding the historic 3/3 group stage on Ivorian soil, Cissé tactically lost his duel against the host country in the round of 16.
This is his defeat! Or at least, it was his “errors” or “tactical failures” that cost Senegal victory, according to several observers and public opinion. Disaster ! The elimination of Senegal does not happen and remains like a tumor in the head of public opinion. But the mark of this disillusionment was the 5-3-2. And here again, Cissé will fail to achieve the assigned objective: retain the title!
However, after the CAN, in February 2024, the extension of Cissé until 2026 was announced. The news created controversy and public opinion questioned the reasons for such a decision by the FSF. This information will not be confirmed, moreover like most of Cissé’s contracts. He succeeded in calming public anger thanks to two successes and a rejuvenated squad last March.
In June, Aliou returned with his famous 3-5-2 system and failed to get rid of the DR Congo at Diamniadio. Oops ! The last straw for the supporters and the press who do not miss El Tactico. Sadio Mané’s statement criticizing the 3-5-2 will increase the anger of the Senegalese. Against Mauritania a few days later, Cissé only won by a small goal. In the proposed game, it is tasteless, dull and poor in terms of quality.
Worse, he does not budge and insists on his playing system which will cost Senegal another 2 points against Burkina Faso in Diamniadio last September (1-1). Cissé no longer does the trick! His team is no longer scary! And the boos from part of the public present at the Abdoulaye-Wade stadium signed the divorce. Moreover, one of the reasons for the non-renewal of his contract by the ministry is “the risk of disaffection with the Senegalese public”.
His message to the Senegalese people, after the victory against Burundi last September, will not have had much effect on their fate. However, he already seemed to want to say goodbye.
“ Senegalese people, I listen to you, hear you and see you. I gave my life for the national team and I promise to do everything possible to leave the national team where we managed to bring it all together: at the top. Together we will seek our final objectives. This is the start of the home stretch. One people, one goal, one faith. Let’s stay united.
The other reasons for the non-renewal of Cissé? The failure to achieve the objectives assigned during the 2022 World Cup and during the CAN 2023. The last reason cited by the FSF in its information note is that Aliou has lost one of his greatest prestige: the first African place in the FIFA rankings for the benefit of Morocco. Two points which were the strength of El Tactico: the achievement of the assigned objectives and the first African place in the FIFA rankings. The wall has collapsed!
Is this the right time for Senegal to part ways with the best coach in its history? Some people will say that there is never a good time to take time off. But leaving through the front door is a preference for those who have written the most beautiful pages of history.
wiwsport.com
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