Why Libya's coach? Aliou Cissé explains

A few days after signing his contract with the Libyan Football Federation to take the helm of the national team, Aliou Cissé was introduced to the local press on Thursday evening. The former Senegalese international discussed, among other things, the reasons that led him to sit on the bench of the Mediterranean Knights.

Aliou Cissé officially took charge of the Libyan national football team on March 11, following the signing of a contract with the federation. On Thursday, he was presented to the press. It was an opportunity for him to reveal the list of players who will participate in the next two days of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Senegalese legend did not miss the chance to explain why he chose the Libyan team.

What brings me here is the motivation to coach a country that hasn't qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 12 years. I want the fans, the players, the people who love football to feel Libya at the Africa Cup of Nations. We no longer want to watch the AFCON on TV; we want Libya to be among the teams going to the Africa Cup of Nations, and I'm here for that.

Smiling broadly, the 48-year-old coach continued:

You, the journalists, must support us and help us achieve this goal because I can't do it alone. Together, we will succeed. I am convinced that we will succeed, and you (the journalist who asked the question) will be the first to be happy. You want to go to the AFCON, you no longer want to stay here.

Aliou Cissé's main objective is to enable the Mediterranean Knights to secure participation in the 2027 AFCON. In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Libya currently occupies the second place in Group D with 7 points, just one point behind Cameroon, the group's leader (8 points). The Indomitable Lions will be Libya's next opponent on March 25 in the sixth round. But before that, Aliou Cissé's men will face Angola on March 20 for the fifth round.

Lydiane N'Po |

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Sports journalist specializing in African football, covering football news, exclusive stories and digital content for passionate fans of the game.