David GOMBE
The Libyan Football Federation has appointed Senegal legend Aliou Cisse as their new head coach.
Cisse is former Senegal head coach and won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after beating Egypt in the final held in 2022.
Cisse will now lead Libya until 2027 replacing Nasser Al-Hadhiri who had been appointed in September last year.
Libya did not make it to the forthcoming African Cup of Nations due in Morocco later this year. They are currently second in their World Cup Qualifier group and will face off with Angola this month.
Cisse, who won 35 caps for Senegal as a player, took charge in March 2015 and his longevity in the role helped establish the Teranga Lions as Africa’s top-ranked side for over four years.
Cisse also helped Senegal reach the AFCON Final in 2019, losing 1-0 to Algeria.
During the 2023 continental showpiece, Senegal’s title defense was tended at round last of 16 after a penalty shootout defeat against hosts and eventual champions Ivory Coast.
He also led Senegal to the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup final tournaments.
As a player, he captained Senegal at the 2002 World Cup as they shocked World champions France by then and reached the quarter-finals on their first appearance at the tournament that was held in Korea and Japan.
According to Africa soccer, Cisse will earn €76,000 (UGX 302m) monthly for the next 2 years as Libya head coach, making him the 2nd highest-paid coach in Africa, next to Algeria’s Vladimir Petković, who earns €135,000 (UGX 537m).
