Rise of local coaches shows change in African football

Rise of Local Coaches Reshaping African Football

As the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup heats up, a significant shift is taking place across African football. National teams are increasingly putting their trust in homegrown coaches rather than relying on foreign managers. Out of 53 men’s national sides on the continent, 24 are currently led by African coaches a growing trend that signals newfound confidence in local talent.

A New Wave of Confidence

Traditionally, African federations have turned to European coaches, believing they brought superior tactical knowledge. But attitudes are changing. Coaches such as Mali’s Eric Chelle, South Africa’s Benni McCarthy (in charge of Kenya), and Senegalese legend Aliou Cissé (now managing Libya) embody this new wave. Their appointments highlight the growing belief that African coaches can deliver results and inspire players through cultural connection and personal investment.

Historical Turning Point

The rise of local coaches gained momentum in 2019, when Algeria and Senegal contested the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final with both sides led by homegrown managers—Djamel Belmadi and Aliou Cissé. Since then, AFCON titles in 2021 and 2023 have also been won by African coaches, Emerse Faé of Ivory Coast being the latest success story. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, all five African nations were managed by indigenous coaches, with Morocco’s Walid Regragui leading his side to an unprecedented semi-final finish.

Investment in Coaching Development

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA have played a key role in improving coaching standards through training programs and certifications. As Cissé explains, “Football now is universal and race, colour or nationality doesn’t make a difference. It’s all now about qualities and competency.” With more investment in tactical and technical preparation, African coaches are proving they can compete at the highest level.

Challenges and Criticism

Despite progress, local coaches face immense pressure. Chelle, hired by Nigeria at $600,000 annually, started with a victory over Rwanda but drew criticism after a lackluster result against Zimbabwe. Similarly, Aliou Cissé’s big-money appointment in Libya has had a rocky start, with his team struggling to secure points in Group D. McCarthy’s attacking style with Kenya has been praised, but early results have fallen short, leaving his side unlikely to qualify.

Advantages of Local Leadership

Supporters argue that African coaches bring unique advantages. They understand the culture, language, and mindset of their players, often serving as both tactical leaders and emotional motivators. They also cost less on average than their European counterparts, many of whom have been accused of chasing paychecks rather than investing in long-term development. As Nigerian legend Stephen Keshi once said, “The white guys are coming to Africa just for the money. They are not doing anything that we cannot do.”

High Stakes in World Cup Qualifying

With nine automatic slots for African teams at the 2026 World Cup, the competition is fierce. Some decisions to back local coaches have already paid off—Cape Verde under Bubista is challenging Cameroon for qualification, while Egypt under Hossam Hassan sits comfortably at the top of their group. However, other federations are facing setbacks, as seen with Senegal’s decline in attacking form under Pape Thiaw. For many coaches, their World Cup campaigns will determine whether this faith in local leadership endures.

A Debate as Old as the Game

The question of whether local or foreign coaches are better suited for African teams is far from settled. While recent successes point to a bright future for homegrown managers, the reality remains that for one coach to succeed, several others must fail. The coming weeks of World Cup qualifying will test the credibility of this new era. If African coaches guide their nations to glory, the trend could become permanent. If not, federations may once again turn to outsiders.

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The Future of African Coaching

What is clear is that the landscape of African football is shifting. With federations showing increasing trust in local talent and fans rallying behind former legends, the rise of African coaches is more than just a trend—it is a movement. Whether this shift leads to historic World Cup performances or setbacks, it has already reshaped the narrative of African football, giving local coaches a platform to prove they belong on the world stage.

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