AFCON 2023: Aliou Cisse speaks about his future after Senegal’s elimination by Ivory Coast

Following the Round of 16 exit, Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse refused to draw a clear picture about his future, leaving the door open for uncertainty.

Defending champions and favorites Senegal Senegal were shockingly dumped out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by hosts Ivory Coast in a tense affair at Yamoussoukro on Monday.

Senegal drew first blood through Habib Diallo, but the Elephants levelled matters late on with a Frank Yannick Kessie penalty to send the game into extra time, which the latter won 5-4.

Following the Round of 16 exit, Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse refused to draw a clear picture about his future, leaving the door open for uncertainty.

“We’ll see what the future has in store for us. First, I want to digest this defeat because everyone is disappointed,” he said to the press after the game.

Cisse further underlined his disappointment with the result as it didn’t match their targets for the AFCON.

“Disappointed with the result for my players, for our people because we came to win this CAN. There were a lot of game facts that I won’t go into.”

“Too bad we lost track after opening the score. But in victory as in defeat, you have to remain dignified, and I am proud of my players,” said Cissé.

The exit of the Lions of Teranga meant no team has managed to defend the Africa Cup of Nations or go past the Round of 16 since Egypt in 2010.