AFC Ann Arbor are excited to announce the return of Amadou Cisse to The Mighty Oak ahead of the 2019 campaign. Cisse was with the side on trial for the early stages of preseason, but it has been confirmed that he will join The Mighty Oak for what will be his third season with the club – previously playing in Ann Arbor in 2015 and 2017. Cisse is familiar with the entire state of Michigan as he spent time in 2016 with Kalamazoo FC and 2018 with Michigan Bucks. Very familiar with the state of Michigan, he is a welcome addition to the side.
In addition to his time with AFCAA that made an impression on the staff, he also has spent plenty of time earning accolades elsewhere. Cisse started at least nine games in each of his four seasons at Madonna University. As a senior in 2016, Cisse earned the WHAC’s Offensive Player of the Year Award as he scored eleven goals while chipping in twelve assists for a final point total of 34, top in the conference. His final career totals included 27 goals and 30 assists, which were, at the time of his graduation, top-five numbers in Madonna school history.
At the club level, Cisse also impressed. He brought home the 2016 Offensive Player of the Year Award from Kalamazoo FC as well which earned him a spot in that year’s Midwest Pro Soccer Combine. Recently, he earned a trial with Detroit City FC where he starred in DCFC’s early friendly in Chattanooga, in which the Detroit News gave his performance rave reviews, calling him the “most impressive” of the City newcomers. A well-traveled man, not even touching upon his stint with the Bucks, the fact that teams continually inquire about his availability highlights his top-class talent at the NPSL level.
On his return, Cisse said of the club as a whole, “AFCAA has always had a place in my heart, right from the moment the club was founded.” As a member of the inaugural squad, Cisse is a long-running member of the AFCAA Family. His favorite memory stems from that first season as well, as he wrote:
“I would say my favorite memory with the club was back in 2015 when we travelled down to Muskegon to play against Risers. I believe it was the last road game of the inaugural season for the club. That game, in my opinion, was the best game of that season. The passion, hard work, and determination from every player that travelled was phenomenal. We were down 1-0 and when Kyle [Breitmeyer] scored in the 86th minute to tie the game, it honestly felt like we had won a championship match. I can still remember running down the sideline with Kyle towards Bilal [Saeed] and the rest of the fans who travelled down to support. It was a great feeling ending the season strong.”
As someone with a passion for the club, he not only has the understanding of the club but the obvious skills as well. “Amadou brings athleticism and pace to our front line,” said Eric Rudland of his newest front man for the 2019 season. He would also add, “He has a lot of experience at our level of football locally and should be a player we can rely on early for quality.” When assessing himself, Cisse said, “I personally think my greatest strength as a player has to be my speed, just like everyone else believes.” Those who have seen Cisse play would certainly agree with that assessment as his deadly pace allows him to get into good attacking positions as an outlet for an attack. That does suit, and has suited him well in the up-tempo attack of Rudland’s system.
Cisse’s return to the club is cause from a great deal of excitement from the attacker on a personal level. “What I enjoy the most at AFCAA is the fact that you have guys from different places, cultures and countries; and yet we all have this amazing relationship as if we are all from the same roots,” he said speaking on the diversity of the club. Indeed, born in Guinea, Cisse adds another country of representation on a men’s side that will see four continents represented this upcoming season. “Every moment spent with the team and everyone involved with the club is greatly enjoyable,” he would also add, showing a true passion for the club and city. Hoping for the “best season yet”, fans will certainly feel the same way as they welcome another returnee into the fold.
About AFC Ann Arbor
Founded in 2014, Association Football Club Ann Arbor launched it’s men’s semi-pro team in 2015 and has competed in the NPSL since 2016. Led by Head Coach & Sporting Director, Eric Rudland, the team has found great success winning back to back Great Lakes Championships (‘17 & ‘18) and earning US Open Cup bids three straight years (2017-2019). In October 2018, the club announced the launch of the women’s side, who will be skippered by Andy “Pritch” Pritchard in their inaugural season of the United Women’s Soccer national league. Owned and operated by a group of local soccer fans and entrepreneurs, AFC Ann Arbor has become a fixture in the greater Ann Arbor community.