Previously, many African teams were guided by foreign coaches in major tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In recent years, however, African mentors have been given the opportunity to coach their countries.

As a result, the past three editions of the AFCON have been won by African coaches: Djamel Belmadi with Algeria in 2019, Aliou Cisse, who was in charge when Senegal won it in 2021, and Emerse Faé, who led Ivory Coast to their triumph on home soil in the 2023 edition.

The last foreign coach to win the AFCON was the Belgian, Hugo Broos, when he guided Cameroon to the title in 2017.

Asked for his observation on the coaching front, Broos has offered his opinion on why African coaches have been successful in recent years.

“You know, in my language, they say you are not a pope in your own land, and that is not only in Africa but also in Europe. People always think foreign coaches are better than local coaches. Why? Don’t ask me,” said Broos.

“Maybe because foreign coaches got their opportunities, and sometimes, you have to put confidence in local coaches. Maybe give him more time to prove himself. Why would African coaches be worse than other coaches? I don’t know. Again, it’s a question of giving them the time to build a team and also patience,” he continued.

“I think in the past they (African teams) gave more time to a foreign coach than a local coach. So now African coaches are successful, and the proof is there (that they are capable).”

Of the eight remaining teams in the ongoing AFCON, six are guided by African coaches: Emerse Faé (Ivory Coast), Pape Thiaw (Senegal), David Pagou (Cameroon), Hossam Hassan (Egypt), Walid Regragui (Morocco), and Éric Sékou Chelle (Nigeria).

Meanwhile, Algeria is coached by Vladimir Petković from Bosnia, and the Belgian, Tom Saintfiet, is in charge of Mali.

Of the 24 coaches before the start of the tournament, 14 were African, and 10 came from overseas.