AFCON 2023: Worry as Senegal coach Aliou Cisse is rushed to hospital after Cameroon win

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse was admitted to hospital following his team’s 3-1 victory against Cameroon in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday.

The Teranga Lions confirmed their place in the Round of 16 following the comprehensive win over the Indomitable Lions but their coach had to be rushed to hospital moments after.

According to Canal+Afrique, the 47-year-old stayed overnight at the hospital in Yamoussoukro for undisclosed reasons after feeling discomfort following the win.

The outlet reported that Cisse was still in hospital on Saturday with part of the Senegal delegation by his side and that he was responding well to treatment.

The Senegal FA later sent a statement on Saturday evening clearing the air over the coach's health. 

“The Senegal Football Federation informs the public that coach Aliou Cisse was treated by the medical staff and care services of Yamoussoukro hospital for a benign infectious pathology after the Senegal-Cameroon match,” the Senegal FA said in the statement. “The results are reassuring and he is back with the group.”

Cisse has been Senegal coach since 2015, leading the Teranga Lions to AFCON success at the delayed 2021 tournament in Cameroon after losing the 2019 final to Algeria.

He also managed Senegal at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, reaching the Round of 16 in the latter in Qatar.

Senegal have stayed true to their favourites tag at the 2023 AFCON tournament in the Ivory Coast, starting with a 3-0 win against the Gambia before the statement win against Cameroon.

The star-studded Teranga Lions will face Guinea in their final group game on Tuesday when a draw will be enough to finish top of Group C.

It is the second time Cisse is falling ill at a major tournament after also being hospitalised during the 2022 World Cup.

Cisse was unable to attend a news conference a day before his team's Round of 16 game against England because of illness but he recovered in time to be in the dugout for the key clash.

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