Cisse’s brief is to make final

– Senegalese coach Aliou Cisse (above) has had his contract extended by a year but was also given the job of ensuring his team reach the final of next year’s Africa Nations Cup tournament.

“In the assessment of his contract, we feel he achieved his initial goal of qualifying the team for the World Cup, after which the whole world recognises that he was able to bring the Senegalese team up to an appreciable level,” Senegal Football Federation president Augustin Senghor said this week.

Senegal became the first side eliminated at a World Cup on the “fair play rule” after finishing level with Japan but being placed behind them in the group because of a higher number of cautions received during the tournament.

“We do not see why he can’t continue, so we have assigned him a mission to reach the 2019 Nations Cup final,” added Senghor.

“It was clear Cisse is aiming for this goal himself, and Senegal wants the trophy.”

The 42-year-old Cisse took over in March 2015 and at the last Nations Cup in Gabon in early 2017 his side lost on penalties in the quarterfinals.

He captained Senegal at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, where they beat holders France in the opening game and reached the last-eight.

His club career took in spells at Lille and Paris St Germain before playing in the English Premier League with Birmingham City and later Portsmouth, as well as earning 35 caps for Senegal.

He coached Senegal’s under-23 team at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and then took over the senior side. –