Aliou Cissé: ‘Senegal are capable of winning the World Cup.’ | OneFootball

Speaking to RMC Sport journalist Fabric Hawkins, Aliou Cissé has said that he believes that Senegal are capable of winning the FIFA World Cup in the future.

Cissé led Senegal to their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title back in 2021, defeating Egypt on penalties in the final of the competition. He then led Senegal to the Round of 16 of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. After suffering a 2-0 defeat to The Netherlands in their opener, victories against Qatar and Ecuador saw them progress from their group. However, they came unstuck against England in the Round of 16, with goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka dumping them out of the competition.

It was a similar story in the most recent edition of the AFCON, held in the Ivory Coast at the start of the year. After progressing from their group, Cissé’s men lost on penalties to eventual winners and hosts Ivory Coast. Asked by RMC Sport whether he would prefer to win an AFCON or have a deep run in the World Cup, Cissé made his position clear.

“I’d prefer to win another [AFCON in Morocco in 2025, rather than have a crazy run in the World Cup]. The AFCON is special. Even if you win a World Cup, an AFCON is still something special. I know that Senegal are capable of winning the World Cup in the future. That is clear. With this generation that are coming of age, they are capable of doing big things. That starts with qualifying for the upcoming AFCON in 2025 and then having a great tournament to bring back that trophy that alluded us in the Ivory Coast,” said the Senegal manager.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle