Dakar, Senegal – Aliou Cissé, the Head Coach of Senegal’s national football team, was swiftly taken to a local hospital following a sudden collapse in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match against Ethiopia.
Ahead of the match, which saw Senegal claim an emphatic 4-1 victory, Cissé had reported feeling nauseous, consistently battling dizziness and vomiting episodes. The Senegalese Football Federation (SFF) disclosed that these unfortunate events triggered his eventual collapse during halftime.
Post-collapse, immediate medical attention led to tests that indicated his sudden ill-health was due to a sharp decline in blood sugar levels. The Senegal-Cameroon match continued without him whilst he was rushed to the hospital from the sidelines for necessary medical treatment.
The SFF later issued a statement on the matter, saying: “Coach Aliou Cissé had to be urgently carried to a hospital due to severe bouts of dizziness combined with consistent vomiting. Preliminary tests conducted revealed that the coach’s ill state was due to decreased blood sugar levels.”
The former international player has been at the helm of Senegal’s football crew since 2015, garnering immense regard and admiration during his tenure.
Despite the disturbing event, the medical team reported that Cissé’s health situation was stabilized and that he was in “good health” post-emergency. The hospital reassured fans and football federation personnel that the coach’s condition was under control.
This incident offers a stark reminder of the enormous pressure that the sport can exert on even the most experienced of coaches. It also underscores the crucial role that rapid medical intervention plays in ensuring the safety of all participants.
Aliou Cissé’s followers will undoubtedly be eager for his speedy recovery, and to witness his continued commitment to leading the Senegalese team towards further footballing successes.
While the coach’s unexpected health scare certainly marred the joy of victory temporarily, it didn’t shadow the Senegalese team’s win over Ethiopia, taking them a step closer to securing their place in the renowned Africa Cup of Nations.
