Aliou Cissé becomes Libya’s new national team coach

Senegalese football legend Aliou Cissé has officially agreed to become the new coach of Libya’s national team, the Mediterranean Knights.

After several days of talks, both sides signed a two-year contract on Friday, with the possibility of an extension.

Cissé’s main job will be to help Libya qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He is also expected to guide the team to at least the semi-finals of the 2027 AFCON.

Cissé will start his role next month with World Cup qualifiers against Angola and Cameroon. Libya is currently second in Group D with seven points from four matches, just one point behind group leaders Cameroon.

With this new deal, Cissé will become the second-highest-paid coach in African football.