This archive report was first published on 17 July 2019.
On July 17, 2019, the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) came to a close with Senegal and Algeria emerging as finalists, both coached by local managers.
Aliou Cissé led Senegal to victory, while Djamel Belmadi managed Algeria to the finals. This achievement raises questions about the reliance of African teams on foreign managers.
Kenya's experience with coach Sebastien Migne is a case in point. Migne, a French citizen, was hired to replace local coach Stanley Okumbi, but Kenya failed to impress at the competition, bundling out at the group stage.
It's possible that Kenya might have performed better with a local coach, as they only lost to teams managed by African coaches.
Using an African coach comes with several advantages, including a lower budget. Foreign managers are often highly expensive due to their exposure and foreign tactics. In contrast, local coaches can be more affordable and easier to negotiate with.
Moreover, an African coach has a deeper understanding of the players, often having managed them before or following their progress since academy level. This familiarity allows the coach to utilize the players' strengths effectively.
However, local coaches also face challenges, such as relating to local politics and dealing with fans' expectations. Fans' opinions can sometimes affect the players' morale, but a local coach can also use this to their advantage by selecting a squad that meets fans' expectations.
It's time for African teams to believe in their own coaches and give them the opportunity to manage the national teams. Senegal and Algeria have shown that success is possible with local managers, and it's a strategy worth exploring further.
