Aliou Cisse was Senegal’s captain when he first penetrated the Round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup. 20 years ago, Cisse did it as a coach.
Cisse became a part of the first golden generation of Senegalese football, which took the football world by storm in Japan-South Korea two decades ago.
Cisse, who plays as a centre-back, led the Teranga Lions to the round of 16 finals in their first appearance at the World Cup.
Unmitigated, defending champion France was brushed 0-1 in the first game which made the country eliminated in the group phase.
Aliou Cisse defending Senegal at the 2002 World Cup Photo: Bongarts/Getty Images/Henri Szwarc |
Senegal advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by Turkey on penalties. Senegal and Cameroon are the African countries with the best achievements at the World Cup.
At that time, Cisse was Senegal’s mainstay defender who could also operate as a midfielder. He had 35 caps before retiring in 2005.
Twenty years later, fate brought Cisse to a similar achievement. This time, Cisse again led Senegal to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup as a coach!
Uniquely, this is the second time the Lions of Teranga have done this after 2002. Because Senegal’s achievements had faded after the 2002 World Cup because they had never qualified in three consecutive editions, before appearing in Russia 2018.
Senegal got a ticket to the last 16 as runner-up in Group A after beating Ecuador 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium, Tuesday (29/11/2022) evening WIB.
“We don’t know who we will face in the round of 16 – it can be England, it can be Wales, Iran, the US, whoever. All are good teams, the best teams in the world compete here. Therefore we have to be unlucky to face anyone,” said Aliou Cisse as quoted beIN Sports.
Senegal will face England in the round of 16 at Al Bayt Stadium, Sunday (4/12/2022) early morning WIB.
(mrp/then)
