- Historic showings in Morocco
- Greatness calls Hossam Hassan
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – History has already been made in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament as all four countries featuring in Wednesday’s semi-final confrontations are guided by African coaches.
Described by football pundits as heartwarming and thumbs up for indigenous coaches, the milestone development guarantees that the fourth successive edition of AFCON will be won by a homegrown tactician.
It also reflects a growing trend in African football that local coaches are not only capable of competing at the highest level but are now shaping the very future of the game across the continent.
A clear pattern has continued to emerge in recent tournaments where Djamel Belmadi led Desert Warriors of Algeria to victory in 2019; Aliou Cissé guided Teranga Lions of Senegal to their first AFCON crown in 2021, and Émerse Fae delivered Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire’s title in 2023.
Importantly, each of these triumphs aptly demonstrate the power of local knowledge, leadership, and tactical acumen of these gaffers who are bestriding the Continent’s football scene with grace.
As of today, Walid Regragui of Morocco, Hossam Hassan of Egypt, Pape Thiaw of Senegal, and Eric Chelle of Mali, leading Nigeria, have the opportunity to continue this proud legacy and reinforce the dominance of African managers on the continental stage.
Available statistics underline the impact of local coaches at AFCON 2025 now in its semi-final stage. Fifteen (15) of the 24 participating teams were led by African managers, 11 of those advanced beyond the group stage, and African-led teams have claimed 75 percent of all wins so far.
Beyond numbers, these figures reflect cohesion, discipline, and the unique understanding that local coaches bring to their squads, mentally, tactically, and culturally.
These respectable African coaches have transformed the tournament into a showcase of homegrown expertise. From Morocco to Egypt, Senegal to Nigeria, these managers are combining tactical innovation with leadership, inspiring players and shaping matches at every stage.
Importantly, their ability to motivate, adapt, and read the game has become a decisive factor, proving that success is built on knowledge and understanding of the African game.
El-Gohary, Keshi As Pacesetters
A rare class of achievement exists for only two African legends, late Mahmoud El-Gohary and late Stephen Keshi. Both personalities won the AFCON both as a player and as a coach of their respective national football teams.
As a player, El-Gohary won the Nations Cup with Egypt in 1959, and emerged as top competition’s top scorer while also winning the continental crown as the Pharaohs’ Coach in 1998. He died on 31 August 2012, in Amman, Jordan.
For Stephen Keshi, he captained Nigeria to victory in the 1994 AFCON playing as a defender and earned 60 caps for the Super Eagles, making him the nation’s second-most capped player at the time of his retirement. As a coach, he led Nigeria to win the 2013 AFCON tittle. He had a heart attack and died en-route to hospital on 7th June 2016 in Benin City at aged 54.
Hossam Hassan Chases Class Act
Hossam Hassan, currently Head Coach of the Egyptian National team, the Pharaohs, could join this elite duo if he guides Egypt to victory in 2025.
Victory in this year’s tournament for Hossam would be cementing his legacy as one of African football’s greatest alongside El-Gohary and Keshi. A striker and prolific goal scorer in his playing days, Hossam is Egypt’s all-time top scorer with 69 goals in 177 appearances.
Indigenous Coaches In Control
As AFCON 2025 heads into its last four stages, one fact is undeniable: African coaches are firmly in control.
Whoever lifts the trophy, it will not only be a victory for their nation but also a celebration of a remarkable tradition, one where homegrown tacticians continue to define the continent’s footballing excellence and inspire the next generation of African managers – With cafonline.com report
