African football has produced many great coaches who have won important trophies and made history. These managers have led clubs and national teams to success, proving their talent on the biggest stage. Here are the 10 most successful African coaches of all time.
1. Mahmoud El-Gohary (Egypt)
El-Gohary is one of Egypt's and Africa's greatest football coaches. He won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as both a player in 1959 and a coach in 1998, while he also helped Egypt qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 1990 after 56 years.
At the club level, he coached both Al Ahly and Zamalek, winning league titles and the CAF Champions League.
2. Hassan Shehata (Egypt)
Shehata is famous for leading Egypt to three consecutive AFCON titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010. He is the only coach to have won three AFCON tournaments in a row.
Shehata also coached Egyptian clubs such as Suez SC, El Sharkia SC, El Minya SC, and Al Mokawloon Al Arab SC, winning domestic titles. He also coached UAE side Al Wasl, where he won the league and cup titles. He was named the best CAF coach in 2028.
3. Pitso Mosimane (South Africa)
Pitso is one of the best African coaches in modern football. He won multiple league titles with Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa and led them to the CAF Champions League title in 2016. He later moved to Egypt and coached Al Ahly, where he won two CAF Champions League titles in 2020 and 2021.
4. Stephen Keshi (Nigeria)
Keshi made history by winning AFCON as both a player (1994) and a coach (2013). He led Nigeria to victory in AFCON 2013 with a young squad. Keshi also helped Togo qualify for their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2006. He believed in African coaches and fought for them to get more opportunities.
5. Rabah Saadane (Algeria)
Saadane is one of Algeria's most respected coaches. He led Algeria to their first FIFA World Cup in 1982 and later guided them to the 2010 World Cup. Saadane also won league titles in Algeria with club teams. He also played a key role in developing Algerian football and helped many young players grow. His experience and achievements made him a legend in North African football.
6. Faouzi Benzarti (Tunisia)
Benzarti is a legendary Tunisian coach with a career spanning over 40 years. He has won league titles in Tunisia and Morocco and led Esperance to the CAF Champions League title in 1994. He has coached many top African clubs and national teams.
Benzarti is known for his aggressive playing style and ability to rebuild teams. His long career and success across Africa makes him one of the most respected coaches in African football history.
7. Claude Le Roy (France, but naturalized Ghanaian)
Le Roy was born in France but spent most of his career coaching in Africa. He won AFCON with Cameroon in 1988 and also coached Ghana, Senegal, and DR Congo.
Le Roy helped many African teams qualify for international tournaments and played a key role in developing young players. Many African players respect him for his contribution to their careers.
8. Florent Ibenge (DR Congo)
Ibenge led DR Congo to victory in the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and guided them to third place in AFCON 2015. He also took AS Vita Club to the final of the CAF Champions League in 2014. Ibenge believes in developing local players and giving them chances at the highest level.
9. Aliou Cisse (Senegal)
Cisse made history by leading Senegal to their first-ever AFCON title in 2021. He also took them to the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022. Cisse was a former player who captained Senegal in the 2002 World Cup. As a coach, he built a strong team with talented young players.
10. Abdelhak Benchikha (Algeria)
Benchikha has won many domestic and continental titles with clubs in North Africa. He led USM Alger to the CAF Confederation Cup in 2023 and has managed teams in Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco.
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