With FIFA directing the North African federation to pay him €820,000 in damages, former Senegal national team manager Aliou Cissé has won his legal battle against the Libyan Football Federation.

Appointed head coach of Libya in 2025 on a two-year contract following his excellent run with the Senegalese national team, Cissé guided Senegal to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) championship in 2021. But, only less than a year after his appointment, his tenure supervising the Libyan national team came to an abrupt end when both parties split over contract obligation disputes.

After he left, Cissé submitted a claim for financial obligations owed to him as per his contract and for unpaid wages. Ultimately rising to FIFA, the controversy was decided in favour of the 48-year-old coach. FIFA has ordered the Libyan Football Federation to give Cissé €820,000 in damages for contract violation.

This ruling ends a protracted dispute between the coach and the Libyan FA, aiming for clarification on the financial claims made by the previous African champion.

Though he struggled in Libya, Cissé has rapidly found another important worldwide coaching position. Named head coach of Angola, he is set to use his expertise from Senegal and past international travels to guide the Palancas Negras into a new age.

Having led Senegal’s ascent to regional prominence, won the 2021 AFCON championship, and helped the team to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022, Cissé is still among Africa’s most admired coaches.