The Senegalese Football Federation (SFF) has sacked 2022 AFCON-winning coach, Aliou Cisse, following a string of poor results in the ongoing AFCON and World Cup qualifying matches.

The decision to sack the former Birmingham City and Portsmouth midfielder was confirmed by the SFF in a statement on Wednesday, bringing an end to Cisse’s tenure which saw him taking the Teranga Lions to unprecedented heights which included leading the team to its first-ever AFCON title.

“The contract between the national coach, Aliou Cisse, and the Senegalese Football Federation will not be renewed. This is what the new authorities have decided,” the Federation said in the statement.

“Aliou Cisse has given so much to Senegalese football, but the time has come for a new direction,” an SFF official was quoted as saying, highlighting the federation’s determination to start a new chapter for the Teranga Lions.”

The 47-year-old coach has been in charge of the national team since 2015 with his time witnessing a rollercoaster of some sorts, filled with both triumphs and heartbreaking moment for the football crazy West African nation.

After taking charge of Senegal in 2015, following a brief stint as caretaker manager in 2012, Cisse led the Lions to qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and although Senegal was eliminated in the group stage on a controversial fair-play tiebreaker, Cisse’s influence was undeniable.

Despite that setback, Cisse continued to build a strong foundation for Senegal. In 2019, he guided the Teranga Lions to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, their first since 2002, only to be narrowly defeated by Algeria, but redemption came in 2022 when Senegal won their first-ever AFCON title under his guidance, beating Egypt in a dramatic penalty shootout.

However, recent performances have failed to live up to that glory with a string of poor results in the months following the 2022 FIFA World Cup put Cisse under increasing scrutiny.

After careful consideration, the SFF said it has decided not to renew Cisse’s contract, ending his eight-year spell in charge of the national team.

Congo-born NBA legend, Dikembe Mutombo, has died from brain cancer at the age of 58.

The NBA Hall of Famer and eight-time NBA All-Star, who retired in 2009, lost the battle to a brain tumour he had been battling since he was diagnosed in 2022 on Monday, according to NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver.

The Congolese-American spent 18 years playing in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets.

Nicknamed “Mount Mutombo” due to his towering height and defensive prowess, he was regarded as one of the greatest shot-blockers and defensive players of all time.

Outside of basketball, Mutombo
was also known for his humanitarian work.

“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” said Silver.

“On the court he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others.

“He loved what the game of basketball could do to make a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the continent of Africa,” Silver added

Standing at 7ft 2in (2.18m) tall, Mutombo was discovered while studying at Georgetown University and was selected by the Nuggets with the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft.

He twice reached the NBA Finals, first for the 76ers in 2001 and then the Nets (now Brooklyn Nets) two years later and led the NBA in blocked shots for five consecutive seasons and blocks per game for a record three consecutive seasons.

Following his retirement both the Hawks and Nuggets retired his number 55 shirt, and in 2015 he was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.

Mutombo was a global ambassador for the NBA and carried out humanitarian work in his home country.