December 27, 2023 – In a prelude to the impending Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), reports have surfaced that Senegal’s head coach, Aliou Cisse, and his technical staff have not received salaries for six months.
According to Sports News Africa, Cisse and his team have been awaiting payment since June 2023, with no resolution in sight as the AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast approaches. The unpaid status of the coaching staff raises concerns about the team’s preparation and focus as they gear up to defend their AFCON title.
Aliou Cisse, who took over as the head coach in 2015 after the dismissal of Alain Giresse, has notably led Senegal to victory in the 2021 AFCON, marking their first triumph in the prestigious tournament. His leadership also steered the team through a commendable performance in the Qatar World Cup 2022.
Despite these achievements, the recent financial challenges pose a significant hurdle for Cisse and his staff. The Lions, set to camp in their native country ahead of AFCON, are striving to maintain their status as champions for the second consecutive time.
In Group C of the AFCON tournament, Senegal is scheduled to kick off their campaign against Gambia on January 15 at 8:00 pm. Subsequent matches will see them facing Cameroon on the 19th and Guinea on the 23rd, amidst concerns about the team’s financial stability leading up to these crucial fixtures.