Senegal women’s national team head coach Mame Moussa Cisse has confirmed he will leave his role after the Teranga Lionesses failed to reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Bold Sports reports.
His announcement came shortly after Senegal played out a goalless draw against hosts Morocco in their final Group A fixture on Monday.
Senegal entered the decisive contest needing a victory to keep their knockout hopes alive. Instead, the stalemate left them on four points, one behind Algeria, whose 2-0 win over Kenya secured second place in the group. Morocco finished top with seven points, while Kenya ended the campaign without a point.
Penalty heroics could not save Senegal
Goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye delivered one of the tournament’s standout performances despite Senegal’s exit. She denied Morocco twice from the penalty spot in the second half, preserving a clean sheet and earning her side a valuable draw. However, the result was still not enough to extend Senegal’s stay in Morocco.
The Lionesses had reached their final group match knowing only three points would guarantee a chance of progressing. Despite their defensive resilience, they could not find the breakthrough required to continue their WAFCON journey.
Cisse announces departure
Following the final whistle, Cisse revealed that his time with the national team had come to an end after serving the women’s programme for almost a decade.
”It’s time to leave and let others come and break through this glass ceiling. Today (Monday), we have a good team, we’re in a good dynamic.”
”Perhaps another coach, with a different vision and experience, can lead this team towards the goals we’ve set for ourselves.”
”I’ve been here for 10 years. It’s time to hand the reins over to someone else, to try new things. I’ve given everything I had, but apparently, it’s not enough.”
The experienced coach also accepted responsibility for Senegal’s inability to advance beyond the group stage.
”The objective was not achieved. On a personal level, I take responsibility. This third consecutive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations was supposed to be my last.”
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End of a long chapter
Cisse’s departure closes a lengthy spell with Senegal’s women’s national team. He first worked as an assistant coach between 2013 and 2015 before taking charge as head coach from 2015 to 2017. He returned to the position in 2019 and remained in charge until the end of Senegal’s WAFCON 2026 campaign.
With the coaching role now vacant, the Senegalese Football Federation will begin the search for a successor tasked with building on the foundation Cisse leaves behind and guiding the Lionesses towards future continental success.
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