Football coaching has improved immensely in the past few years. This is partly thanks to different federations implementing stringent measures that have ensured that only the best candidates get the top coaching jobs. For example, a coach must attain a Confederation of African Football (CAF) License and, at the minimum, a UEFA Coaching License to manage at club or national team. Consequently, nations and clubs only hire the best coaches in a quest to gain a competitive edge. So, who are the great African coaches to watch for? Read on to find out!
Aliou Cisse
The Senegalese national team coach is respected globally thanks to his achievements as a player. He is also celebrated in Senegal for leading the Lions of Teranga to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations during the 2022 tournament. Additionally, he was voted Coach of the Year in the CAF awards. Football betting fans have fallen in love with Cisse’s Senegal- they can confidently wager on his team to win matches. Speaking of wagering, here is an updated list of active betting companies in Kenya offering competitive odds. You need a reliable sportsbook to enjoy your football betting.
Cisse came into management in 2015 after working as a caretaker manager in 2012. Cisse’s other achievements include guiding Senegal to two FIFA World Cups in 2018 and 2022. However, they couldn’t make it past the group stages.
Cisse is known for his coaching and playing style, which is often compared to that of Didier Deschamps, the France manager. Some highlights of his coaching philosophy include professionalism, long-term thinking, pride and style, attention to detail, and commanding respect and authority.
Pitso Mosimane
Pitso Mosimane is one of the most decorated African footballers, having won everything in African club football. Additionally, he is one of the top-rated managers in South African football. He has managed SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns.
At SuperSport United, he won the Nedbank and Supa 8 tournaments. He also managed the highest finish in the league in second. On the other hand, Mamelodi Sundowns was his most successful. He won five league titles, two Nedbank Cups, the CAF Super Cup, the CAF Champions League, and the Telkom Knockout twice.
Otto Ado
Ado is a former Ghanaian footballer who enjoyed a relatively positive playing career. He played for various German clubs such as Mainz, Borussia Dortmund, and Hannover. After hanging his boots, he transitioned into management and started working on his coaching experience.
Ado has worked as a head coach at Hamburger SV and was an assistant at Borussia Dortmund. In 2002, he worked as the Ghana head coach; however, he resigned after the World Cup. He claimed that he left because he wanted to settle in Germany with his family. He is an upcoming African coach to watch.
Walid Regragui
Walid is arguably one of the most popular African coaches after leading his country to its first-ever semi-final during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. What’s more, he achieved this despite taking over the team three months before the tournament. Some Moroccan fans criticized his appointment, but his success in the World Cup silenced his critics.
The former Moroccan footballer coached Al-Duhail, FUS, and Wydad AC at club level. He won the CAF Champions League with Wydad, which attracted the attention of multiple football administrators.