For the first time in 60 years, the CAF AFCON semi-finals will feature a line-up of four teams, all led by African head coaches. As Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Egypt prepare for the penultimate stage of the 2025 tournament, the spotlight has shifted from the pitch to the touchline.
The emergence of these four African tacticians marks a historic shift in continental football, proving that African coaches are no longer just participants but the primary architects of the game’s highest level of success.
WALID REGRAGUI [MOROCCO]
Regragui remains the gold standard for African coaching. After leading the Atlas Lions to a historic World Cup semi-final in 2022, he is now on a mission to end Morocco’s 50-year AFCON trophy drought on home soil.
The 50-year-old mentor boasts a tactical style that displays discipline, high energy, and a pragmatically defensive approach. His charges eased into the semi-finals with a commanding 2–0 victory over Cameroon. The former FUS Rabat and Wydad AC coach’s ability to integrate stars like Brahim Díaz into a rigid defensive structure has made the hosts the team to beat.
ÉRIC CHELLE [NIGERIA]
Though born in the Ivory Coast and a former Mali international, Éric Chelle has quickly become a hero in Nigeria. Taking over the Super Eagles in early 2025, the 48-year-old has silenced sceptics by transforming a talented but often disjointed squad into a balanced powerhouse.
Nigeria look like a different side in this edition, with a tactical style that reflects collective responsibility and a structured build-up. After a perfect group stage, the former Mali coach led Nigeria to a clinical 2-0 win over Algeria in the quarterfinals. His ‘mission of redemption’ following a painful exit with Mali in the previous edition is now just two games away from completion.
PAPE THIAW [SENEGAL]
The youngest and least experienced of the quartet, Pape Thiaw has stepped into the massive shoes of Aliou Cissé with remarkable poise. Already a winner of the African Nations Championship [CHAN] with Senegal’s home-based players, the 44-year-old is now proving he can handle the main team.
According to captain Kalidou Koulibaly, their approach is not centred on trying to “play beautiful football.” The former AS Niarry Tally coach’s tactical style is adaptable and resilient, emphasising game management. Senegal progressed after a tough 1-0 victory over Mali. Thiaw’s Lions have demonstrated their ability to win ugly—a crucial trait for navigating the high-pressure knockout stages.
HOSSAM HASSAN [EGYPT]
A three-time AFCON winner as a player, Hossam Hassan is the personification of Egyptian footballing spirit. Alongside his twin brother Ibrahim [technical director], Hassan has brought a ‘knockout mentality’ back to the Pharaohs.
With Mo Salah leading his charges, the Pharaohs display fiery leadership and a flexible five-man defensive system that facilitates quick transitions. Egypt eliminated the defending champions, Ivory Coast, in a 3-2 thriller. The 59-year-old is now chasing the rare feat of winning the trophy as both a player and a coach, a club that currently only includes Mahmoud El-Gohary and Stephen Keshi.
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