From Mali 2002 villain to Cameroun 2021 hero, Aliou Cisse is Senegal’s man of the moment

[FILE]Senegal’s head coach Aliou Cisse (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

Twenty years ago, Alou Cisse played himself into the bad books of many Senegalese football fans, when he lost his penalty kick to hand the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun the Africa Cup of Nations title. The match ended 3-2 in favour of the Camerounians in the shootout after a goalless draw in 90 minutes and extra time.

As customary with defeats, Aliou Cisse, who was the team captain at that time, wept openly at Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, Mali. He ‘had murdered sleep,’ and was restless throughout the night, while the Camerounians celebrated.

That tournament in Mali marked the best ever result in Senegalese football history until they finished as runners-up once again three years ago in Egypt, where the Teranga Lions lost 0-1 to Algeria. However, many Senegalese fans saw Cisse as the man who stopped them from sipping from the golden cup.

From sadness to joy, Cisse was all smiles on Sunday night at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroun, as he ran around the arena, waving to the crowd with his Senegalese flag flying high.

From being a villain at Mali 2002, Cisse has risen to become one of the greatest football heroes in 2022. The Teranga Lions have finally won their first AFCON title.

At the end of their semifinal tie against Stallions of Burkina Faso last Wednesday, Cisse said he was not in a hurry to predict whether or not his team would lift the trophy.

“This could be our year to win the trophy for the government and people of Senegal, but we still have one major hurdle to cross,” the dark complexioned Cisse told The Guardian as he adjusted his black coloured nose mask.

As at when Senegal secured their final ticket after beating the Burkinabes, the build