World Cup 2026 (Q): already a first setback for Aliou Cissé!

Barely appointed as the head of the Libyan national team, the illustrious Senegalese technician, Aliou Cissé, faces his first major setback.

The former boss of the Senegal Lions, who hoped to convince Libya's star, Moatasem Al-Musrati, to return to the national team, met with a categorical refusal.

The former victorious coach with Senegal at the 2022 AFCON, Cissé has taken on a significant challenge by taking the reins of a rebuilding Libyan team. With a limited pool of players, the now “2nd highest-paid coach in Africa” aimed to rely on experienced players, including Al-Musrati, the rising star of AS Monaco.

However, the latter declined the invitation, confirming his decision to put his international career on hold.

Aliou Cissé failed to convince Al-Musrati

The 29-year-old playmaker, who previously played for Braga and Besiktas before shining on the Rock, had already distanced himself from the Libyan national team in 2023, citing an unstable context.

Despite the efforts of the Senegalese African champion to persuade him, the player remained firm in his stance. See below:

This is a real blow for Libya, whose supporters were hoping for the return of their playmaker. The team will have to do without him for the crucial matches against Angola and Cameroon in the upcoming international break.

Amine Jomni |

Editorfr

African football writer and sports journalist covering football news, stories and insights while sharing his expertise with fans across the continent.