I Am Disturbed Being The Only Black Coach At This World Cup – Aliou Cisse

Aliou Cisse says he’s disturbed as the only black coach at the 2018 World Cup.

The Senegalese soccer legend, who’s currently their national team coach, will face his first test in their opener against Poland on Tuesday at Moscow’s Spartak Stadium.  “I’m the only black coach at this World Cup, it’s true,” Cisse said. “But really this debate disturbs me. I think football is a universal sport and the colour of your skin is of very little importance.”

Cisse’s 2002 Senegal side, along with Cameroon in 1990 and Ghana in 2010 are the only three African team that have reached the quarter-final in World Cup history. The 42-year-old also called for the need of local coaches in African football, for the continent to ‘go ahead’. “I represent a new generation that would like to have its place among African football and world football,” he said.

“We’re good players with pasts as professional football players and are very good tactically. We have the right to be among the top international coaches. “You see lots of African players in European clubs, now we need African coaches for our continent to go ahead.”

Photo Credit: Getty

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