African coaches still in the shadows of the AFCON

pulse-ghana admin

January 30, 2017 2:00 PM

African coaches have not really held their own when it comes to the Africa Cup of Nations, but having none in the semi-finals of this year’s tournament represents a new low.

There has been a growing debate on whether indigenous coaches on the continent are skilled enough to handle their national teams. But as Zambia Football Association president Kalusha Bwalya uttered those words, it typified the neglect that African countries have subjected indigenous coaches to.

They are branded as unqualified, tactically inept and managerially bankrupt. But, in truth, so are many of the foreign coaches that flood the continent. Just a few fit in the category of ‘top-notch’ coaches. The only difference is that a coach from the outskirts of Africa is given much time and trust to thrive, while an indigene is deprived both.

The last time an African coach won the Africa Cup of Nations was in 2013, when Stephen Keshi led Nigeria to the coveted gold. But before then it was Hassan Shehata who led his all-conquering Egyptian side to three successive Afcon trophies between 2006 and 2010.

It was historic and refreshing to know that African coaches were showing the world what the continent also had to offer.

However, the bigger picture has been bleak. Europeans and South American coaches have dominated the tournament since its inception. In the past 31 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, foreign coaches have won it 16 times as compared to 13 won by indigenous coaches. And the gap in quality between coaches on the continent as compared to their counterparts across the Atlantic Ocean has only widened.

It is even sadder when you consider the fact that only four indigenous coaches were present in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

Baciro Cande of Guinea Bissau, Florent Ibenge of DR Congo, Callisto Pasuwa of Zimbabwe and Aliou Cisse of Senegal were the only men trusted by their respective nations to lead their national teams. Guinea Bissau and Zimbabwe could not go past the group stages, resulting in two of the indigenous coaches being booted out.

But with the elimination of Senegal and DR Congo by Cameroon and Ghana respectively, it means no local trainer will be present when the semi-finals of the continent’s flagship competition is played.

"This must change. Africa must own its own space if we are going to get the respect of the world,” former Ghana FA chairman and CAF coach Ben Koufie fumed in 2015.

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It is an awkward situation that Africa’s flagship tournament is being dominated by foreign coaches. And as Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon and Burkina Faso battle for slots in the final, once again no indigenous coach will be there.

Africa has invested so much in world football. And in terms of player development there have been some dividends, but when it comes to the coaches it’s obvious not much can be read into that.

And the tournament in Gabon proves African coaches are still in the shadows of the AFCON.

pulse-ghana admin