African Coaches Sweep All 4 AFCON 2025 Semi-Final Spots

For the first time ever, every team in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals is coached by an African, marking a stunning shift in who leads the continent's biggest football stage. Morocco's Walid Regragui, Egypt's Hossam Hassan, Senegal's Pape Thiaw, and Mali's Eric Chelle have all guided their nations past European and other foreign coaching systems that once dominated African teams.

The numbers back up what fans are seeing on the pitch. Of the 24 teams competing at AFCON 2025, 15 were led by African coaches, and 11 of them made it past the group stage. African-led teams have won 75 percent of their matches, showing tactical depth that rivals any coaching system in the world.

This isn't a fluke. The past three AFCON champions were all led by African coaches: Djamel Belmadi in 2019, Aliou Cissé in 2021, and Émerse Faé in 2023. Now 2025 guarantees a fourth straight win for homegrown leadership.

"We trust our ideas and our players," said Morocco's Regragui. "African coaches understand the mentality needed to win here." He pointed to home support and deep cultural knowledge as advantages that can't be taught in coaching manuals.

Egypt's Hassan, who won AFCON as a player, could join an elite club. Only two coaches in history have won the tournament as both player and coach: Egypt's Mahmoud El-Gohary and Nigeria's Stephen Keshi. "Winning as a coach would be special, but the focus remains on the team," Hassan said humbly.

Senegal's Thiaw credited local knowledge for his team's success. "We understand our players, our environment, and the rhythm of African football," he explained. Discipline and tactical clarity have replaced outdated stereotypes about African coaching styles.

Mali's Chelle put it plainly: "African coaches are no longer learning. We are leading and setting standards." He emphasized that when football federations trust and support their local coaches, those teams can compete with anyone in the world.

The Ripple Effect

This coaching revolution reaches far beyond one tournament. Young Africans watching see leaders who look like them, speak their languages, and understand their challenges succeeding at the highest level. Football academies across the continent now have homegrown role models proving that local knowledge combined with modern tactics creates championship teams.

The shift also changes how African football federations hire. Years ago, many believed only European coaches could deliver results, but that assumption has crumbled under the weight of evidence. African coaches are now exporting their expertise globally, with several managing clubs and national teams outside Africa.

Whichever nation lifts the trophy, the real winner is already clear: African coaching has arrived.