Aliou Cissé announced his departure from the Libyan national team on April 8, 2026, concluding a tenure that began in March 2025. The Senegalese coach, who led Senegal to victory in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, spent just over a year in charge of the Mediterranean Knights. His announcement, made via Instagram, formalized a decision driven by a series of underperformances and repeated failures in various qualifying campaigns.
Cissé's mission was to revive a struggling national team, but the results fell short of expectations. Two friendly matches, a 0-0 draw against Niger and a 2-2 draw against Liberia, were not enough to convince observers and fans. More critically, Libya failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the Arab Cup, and the 2026 World Cup. These successive failures made his position untenable.
In his farewell message, Aliou Cissé thanked his staff, players, and Libyan fans. "This month of March was very special for me as it marked my last gathering as coach of the national team of Libya… I am proud of the work we have done together, and the results obtained," he wrote, while acknowledging the difficulties encountered. He also expressed his confidence in the team's future, encouraging them to continue their efforts.
Aliou Cissé's departure opens a new period of uncertainty for the Libyan national team, which will quickly need to find a new coach capable of turning things around and restoring hope to the fans. The challenges ahead are numerous, including the upcoming qualifying deadlines for continental and international competitions. The identity of Cissé's successor and his ability to mobilize the players will be decisive for the future of Libyan football.
The Libyan Football Federation has not yet commented on the next steps, but the urgency of the situation requires a swift response to avoid further compromising the national team's chances in upcoming competitions.
