Aliou Cisse Fires Back at Critics for Questioning His Decision to Extend Senegal Contract

• Senegal coach Aliou Cisse has opened up on his career
• The former Senegal captain has extended his stay to 2025
• Senegal will engage Gabon and Benin in friendlies in France

Senegal coach, Aliou Cisse, has replied to critics after questioning the decision of the federation to extend the coach's contract after exiting the Africa Cup of Nations at the round of 16.

Cisse will remain the coach of the Teranga Lions until 2025, where he is expected to lead the team back to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal were hoping to defend their AFCON title in Ivory Coast but were eliminated by the hosts on penalties. Senegal had won all their group games before the defeat to Ivory Coast.

The former champions return to action for the first time since the AFCON disappointment, facing Gabon in a friendly in France.

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"The supporters are very satisfied and ask that their coach continue to coach the National Team (laughs). It’s often the specialists who blame us for this. I am a young coach who has barely 10 years of career,” he said during the pre-match presser, as quoted by Wiw Sport.

"We have to stop. You treat me as if I were 70 years old and had 40 years (of career). What did I do? Barely four CANs and two World Cups. But my goal is not that, it’s beyond that. Ten years is nothing at all in this profession. I hope to still do this job until I'm 70," he added.

Senegal have also lined up a friendly against Benin on Tuesday as Cisse builds a strong team ahead of June's World Cup qualifiers, per US Soccerway.

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Cisse opens up on AFCON exit

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Aliou Cisse expressed disappointment after Senegal suffered an early Africa Cup of Nations exit in Ivory Coast.

The then-defending champions bowed out of the competition after losing to the host and eventual champions Ivory Coast 5-4 on penalties.

Despite taking an early lead in the game, the Ivorian pulled level late in the game through Franck Kessie, forcing the game into extra time.