The president of Senegal’s football federation (FSF) was “very sad” to see Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach Aliou Cisse leave his role last month following a directive from the country’s sports ministry.

Cisse, who led the West Africans to a first ever Nations Cup (Afcon) title in February 2022, was let go after nearly a decade in charge – with the FSF and sports ministry, which pays the national coach’s salary, at odds over the decision.

During his tenure, Senegal were also runners-up at the 2019 Afcon and reached two Fifa World Cups, and the 48-year-old had not lost a competitive match, other than on penalties, since the start of last year.

“Before he arrived we had never won a continental trophy,” FSF chief Augustin Senghor told BBC Sport Africa.

“This was enormous for us. For this reason I think it was good to let him finish his job, because Senegal is in a phase of transition.

“He went because of a decision by government. We respect it because we respect the authority.”

Although Cisse’s contract had expired in August, he stayed on for September’s opening 2025 Afcon qualifiers, picking up four points from two games, and was expecting to receive a 12-month extension to his deal.

“He was surprised, but the message he gave was that he did not want to create a difficult crisis,” Senghor explained.

“He’s very committed to his country. He said: ‘President, I will support Senegalese football, because I am a son of this country’.”