By Eyong Macdella
Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon
The 35th edition of Africa’s biggest football showpiece has reached its most crucial—and most exhilarating—stage: the semi-finals.
Two nights. Four teams. One destiny.
While the players lighting up the pitch continue to thrill the continent, the unsung heroes on the touchline—the coaches— are meticulously fine-tuning strategies, instilling belief, and driving their teams toward continental glory.
One thing is already certain: an African coach will lift the AFCON trophy for the fourth consecutive edition, following the triumphs of Djamel Belmadi with Algeria in 2019, Aliou Cissé with Senegal in 2021, and Emerse Faé with Côte d’Ivoire in 2023. This historic run underlines the growing influence, confidence, and tactical maturity of African coaches at the highest level.
African Coaches and AFCON Glory
Across the rich history of the Africa Cup of Nations, African coaches have played defining roles in shaping the tournament’s legacy. The journey began with Mourad Fahmy, who guided Egypt to the inaugural AFCON title in 1957. Ghana’s iconic Charles Gyamfi followed, carving his name into history with three AFCON triumphs in 1963, 1965, and 1982—making him one of the most successful coaches the competition has ever known. Abdelhamid Kermali led Algeria to their first continental crown in 1990, while Yeo Martial masterminded Côte d’Ivoire’s breakthrough title in 1992. In 1996, Clive Barker delivered a historic home triumph for South Africa. Nigeria’s Stephen Keshi lifted the trophy in 2013, achieving the rare feat of winning AFCON both as a player and as a coach.
The modern era has been defined by Hassan Shehata’s unprecedented three consecutive titles with Egypt in 2006, 2008, and 2010, followed by Djamel Belmadi (Algeria, 2019), Aliou Cissé (Senegal, 2021), and Emerse Faé (Côte d’Ivoire, 2023), whose successes reaffirm the growing dominance and excellence of African coaches at the pinnacle of continental football.
AFCON 2025 now guarantees yet another chapter in this tradition, with four African coaches standing just two matches away from immortality.
The Men on the Touchline
Walid Regragui (Morocco)
Walid Regragui (Morocco)
The 50-year-old leads host nation Morocco into their fifth AFCON semi-final. Regragui’s journey with the national team began in 2012 as an assistant coach after retiring from professional football.
Appointed head coach in 2022, just months before the FIFA World Cup, he guided Morocco to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, becoming the first African nation and the first African coach to reach that stage.
Born in France, Regragui earned 44 caps for Morocco as a right-back. His coaching credentials are formidable: he won the Botola Pro in his first season and led Wydad Casablanca to the CAF Champions League title in 2022, firmly establishing himself as one of Africa’s elite tacticians.
Now under immense pressure to deliver continental success on home soil and cement Morocco’s status as Africa’s leading football nation, his semi-final clash against Nigeria, played before a passionate home crowd, promises to be a defining test that transcends home advantage.
Eric Chelle (Nigeria)
Eric Chelle (Nigeria)
Once the subject of widespread attention following his emotional reaction after Mali’s quarter-final exit at AFCON 2023, Eric Chelle now finds himself on the brink of personal history.
The Franco-Malian coach has guided the Super Eagles of Nigeria to their record 16th AFCON semi-final, the most by any nation. Remarkably, this marks the first semi-final appearance of his coaching career.
Nigeria is only the second national team Chelle has managed. Upon his appointment, his objective was clear: reach the AFCON semi-finals. That goal has been achieved. Progressing to the final would represent a significant milestone and a major boost to his managerial profile.
Pape Thiaw (Senegal)
Pape Thiaw (Senegal)
At just 44 years old, Pape Thiaw continues to rise as one of Africa’s most promising coaches. Appointed in 2024, he succeeded Aliou Cissé, under whom he previously served as assistant during Senegal’s historic AFCON triumph in 2021.
Thiaw won the CHAN in 2023 with Senegal and has since impressed at senior level, remaining unbeaten in competitive matches, with 12 wins from 14 games. His tactical discipline and adaptability have carried the Teranga Lions into the semi-finals unbeaten.
Awaiting them is a familiar foe: seven-time champions Egypt, in a replay of the 2021 AFCON final. This time, however, Thiaw stands as the man in charge—a moment that represents the sternest test of his young coaching career.
Hossam Hassan (Egypt)
Hossam Hassan (Egypt)
Egypt’s head coach, Hossam Hassan, the country’s all-time leading goalscorer, has led the Pharaohs into their 14th AFCON semi-final.
Appointed in February 2024, the 59-year-old brings decades of experience, having managed over 15 Egyptian top-flight clubs since beginning his coaching career in 2008, two years after retiring from international football.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest figures in Egyptian football history, Hossam now seeks to add continental success to his legacy—this time from the dugout—when he faces a star-studded, trophy-hungry Senegal side.
A Historic Certainty
AFCON 2025 will mark the sixth time an African coach lifts the AFCON trophy and the first time in the tournament’s history that it happens four times consecutively—a powerful statement of African coaching excellence.
As the continent—and football lovers around the world—await the outcome of these high-stakes encounters, anticipation builds toward January 18, 2025, when Africa will crown its champion and answer the ultimate question:
Which nation will emerge as the best in African football?
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