Top 20 Best Coaches in Football in Africa
Africa has produced an impressive array of football coaches who have led their teams to national and international success. Below is a detailed look at some of the best football coaches on the continent:
1. Hervé Renard (France/Morocco): Coached Zambia to their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) win in 2012 and led Ivory Coast to an AFCON title in 2015.
2. Florent Ibenge (Democratic Republic of Congo): Guided DR Congo to a third-place finish in AFCON 2015 and won the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2016.
3. Pitso Mosimane (South Africa): A highly successful coach with Mamelodi Sundowns, leading them to multiple league titles and the CAF Champions League in 2016.
4. Aliou Cissé (Senegal): A former captain of the Senegalese national team, he led Senegal to the 2019 AFCON final and clinched the 2021 AFCON title.
5. Stephen Keshi (Nigeria): One of the few to win AFCON both as a player and coach, Keshi led Nigeria to victory in 2013.
6. Milutin Sredojević (“Micho”) (Serbia/Uganda): Known for transforming Uganda’s football, he also coached teams like Zamalek and Orlando Pirates.
7. Claude Le Roy (France/Ghana): Nicknamed “The White Witch Doctor,” Le Roy has coached several African teams, including Cameroon, Senegal, and Ghana.
8. Gernot Rohr (Germany/Nigeria): Took Nigeria to the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 AFCON semi-finals.
9. Walid Regragui (Morocco): Led Wydad Casablanca to the CAF Champions League title in 2022 before becoming Morocco’s national team coach.
10. Shakes Mashaba (South Africa): Former coach of South Africa’s national team, known for promoting youth talent.
11. Faouzi Benzarti (Tunisia): A veteran coach with multiple Tunisian league titles and CAF Champions League success.
12. Manu Garba (Nigeria): Known for his success with Nigerian youth teams, including winning the U-17 World Cup in 2013.
13. Hassan Shehata (Egypt): Coached Egypt to three consecutive AFCON titles (2006, 2008, 2010).
14. Vahid Halilhodžić (Bosnia/Algeria): Guided Algeria to the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
15. Jamal Sellami (Morocco): Won the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) with Morocco.
16. Roger de Sa (South Africa): Took Orlando Pirates to the CAF Champions League final in 2013.
17. Paul Put (Belgium/Burkina Faso): Led Burkina Faso to their first AFCON final in 2013.
18. Kheïreddine Madoui (Algeria): Won the CAF Champions League with ES Sétif in 2014.
19. Rabah Madjer (Algeria): An Algerian football legend who also had a stint as national team coach.
20. Augustine Eguavoen (Nigeria): Former Nigerian international who coached the Super Eagles to AFCON success.
Each of these coaches has left an indelible mark on African football, elevating the game to new heights and inspiring future generations.