Three of the greatest coaches Africa has ever seen

Mbaye Niang of Senegal and Aliou Cisse, Head coach of Senegal shakes hands after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Senegal and Colombia at Samara Arena on June 28, 2018 in Samara, Russia.

(June 27, 2018 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

Looking at the French team’s World Cup success, statements like “Africa won the World Cup” were not absolutely shocking. This is because players of African descent or African players have made such an impact on the global football arena. That’s an idea which has been warmly embraced across the globe. However, when we look at African football managers, the story there is far from this great one. There are not many outspoken African coaches but that does not mean they are not doing as good a job. Greatness is not defined by quantity. Below, we delve into discussing some of the great African managers that we seldom celebrate.

Hassan Shehata of Egypt speaks after receiving the FIFA Order of Merit from FIFA President Joseph Blatter (2nd L) during the opening ceremony of the 64th FIFA Congress at the Expocenter Transamerica on June 10, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

(June 9, 2014 - Source: Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images South America)

Aliou Cissé - Senegal

We are right to hear this name and be quick to associate it with the World Cup because the Senegalese coach was the only black coach at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He was profiled for his stern attitude towards his players while making sure that details do not just pass his way without getting the attention they deserve. He was chosen for this position because he had also been a patriotic player who led his country to the quarter finals in the 2002 World Cup which was held in Japan and South Korea. His teammates have also attested to his not-willing-to-quit spirit that he possesses, even as a player. He is well able to transfer the same energy to his players by giving very inspiring speeches. The 42-year-old Cisse does not just choose the best squad but also knows how to filter his words and get the very best out of his troopers! We also got a bit of what  the Senegalese players’ daily bread tasted like when he was quoted saying, “Football is a universal sport and I represent a new generation that would like to have its place in African and world football.” That is a sentiment we absolutely share with him.

Hassan “The Boss” Shehata - Egypt

Coach Clive Barker of Bidvest Wits during the Absa Premiership match between Ajax Cape Town and Bidvest Wits at Cape Town Stadium on April 20, 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa.

(April 19, 2013 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

Shehata led Egypt to win the Africa Cup of Nations three times in 2006, 2008 and 2010. When you win once, we can call it fate but when you just get it right three times, it means the talent in you is unquestionable. That is one thing that the now 71-year old legend can be remembered for. As a coach, he is good at making decisions, and standing by them even when they seem to be less popular. Many of us will recall his dispute with Mido after replacing the player 11 minutes until the end of the game in the 2006 semi-finals. The striker was so displeased at the gesture as he was optimistic of getting a goal before the final whistle. They came close to exchanging more than just harsh words, but Shehata was not moved. He had made a decision that not even harsh words or more could change.

Clive Barker - South Africa

He won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996. This was particularly an important year for the whole of South Africa, who had just fought off the oppressive Apartheid regime in 1994. The country was of course in a feeble political state, and the trophy became the much needed revival. This goes a long way to show the kind of impact that soccer can have in unifying a nation. Beyond that glorious act in history, Barker also coached a number of clubs in South Africa. He won the Coca-Cola Cup with Amazulu in 1992. Under his leadership, the South African national team was ranked by FIFA as the best team in Africa and featured in the Top 20 teams worldwide in 1997.

No wonder they even qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals. Those are heights that the post-Apartheid South African children are yet to enjoy. Maybe if they only had Clive to lead them there!

Conclusion

It is always tempting to just give all the glory to the players, because they are the ones we see during the 90 minutes and forget the people who invest time in doing all the other work behind the scenes. In this piece, we remembered a fair share of some of the greatest coaches the continent has ever seen.

CAF Champions League: First leg of the final marred with VAR controversy

Al Ahly's Ahmed Mohammed celebrates his winning goal during the international friendly match between AS Roma and Al Ahly on May 20, 2016 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

(May 19, 2016 - Source: Chris Whiteoak/Getty Images Europe)

Al Ahly SC and Esperance de Tunis met in Borg El Arab in Egypt in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final last Friday. The match was nothing short of dramatic with an unprecedented total of three penalties being awarded during the game, two to Al Ahly and one to Esperance. There was a hive of controversy surrounding the awarding of Al Ahly’s two penalties by the match referee, Mehdi Abid Charef. The first penalty was awarded for a foul against Moroccan striker, Walid Azaro who fell seemingly unprovoked at slight contact by the Esperance goalie. A 56th minute goal by Amro Elsoulia extended Al Ahly’s lead to 2-0. Eventually, Esperance de Tunis made a comeback after a foul by Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohammed El Shenawy won them a penalty that was successfully converted by Belaili Mohammed in the 62nd minute. In the most dramatic fashion, Ahly regained their two goal cushion after Walid Azaro once again, won another controversial penalty for a foul by Chamseddine Dhaouadi which seemed to have been outside of the penalty area.

Many were in disbelief at how the referee could have made such a blunder especially since on both occasions, he consulted VAR extensively to ascertain the validity of the penalty claims. This was the first time that the FIFA sanctioned technology was used in African football, unfortunately, the occasion was tainted by the controversy of the two “imaginary penalties”. Many are calling out the Algerian referee for failing to spot out the insincerity of Al Ahly players’ penalty calls. Any hopes of a preliminary victory for Esperance in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final were dashed due to two controversial penalty decisions. Tunisian FA president, Wadiaa Jariaa, called for an emergency FA meeting after the game in a move that signalled the gravity of the situation.

We are all aware that incidents of this nature are not rare. In fact, the occasional bad judgement or very debatable penalty calls  by a referee are commonplace in the game of football. And as football fans we are outraged every time (that is, if it the decision is not in our team’s favor). However, some have put the blame on the low standards of African Football for this particular incident:

“For a continental summit, we reach a peak of mediocrity. The credit and reputation of African football are at stake. ”

— Nabil Djellit, France Footbal

VAR display is seen prior to the serie A match between Frosinone Calcio and Bologna FC at Olimpico Stadium on August 26, 2018 in Turin, Italy.

(Aug. 25, 2018 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Friday night was meant to be the historic debut of the VAR system in continental football, and a sign that African football is keeping up with the latest developments. Unfortunately, it has left football fans questioning the utility of the VAR if referees still fail to make accurate calls especially when the stakes are very high. According to FIFA VAR is supposed to reduce human error and essentially make the game of football fairer and more equitable. Video Assistance Referring can be called upon in instances of disputed goals, penalties, red cards and to properly identify a player who has made an infringement. VAR has been a divisive topic, with some applauding the new tech and others calling for a more organic, non assisted approach to refereeing, where errors are expected.

Al Ahly lead 3-1 on aggregate and the eight time winners are closer to securing a record ninth title as they continue dominance as Africa’s finest team. An enthralling second leg match is set for November 9th in the Tunisian capital of Tunis. Espérance de Tunis will be hoping to come back from the 2 goal deficit to steal away the title hopes from Patrice Carteron’s men. They will certainly be more cautious not to give away any more penalties to their title rivals.

Tell us your thoughts on VAR, is it really making the game fairer or do you think that we need to wait for the referees to get accustomed to the tech before we banish VAR? How bad does that this incident reflect on African football, if at all? Perhaps it’s just one of the those things that people write off African football for when the actual issue may be the flaw of a particular something, in this case a technology.

Liverpool vs Man City, the tale of two North Africans

The most followed football league on the face of the earth returns this weekend. Two of the three teams yet to lose a premier league game face-off on Sunday at one of the most electric atmospheres in the world of football, Anfield. One of the team are the reigning EPL champion while the other has not tasted some silverware since 2012. They however made the UEFA Champions League in the 2017/18 campaign and look like a club that is on the up. Manchester City and Liverpool have almost made lightwork of all premier league opposition so far, tied on points at the top of the table with only goal difference separating them - Sunday will properly separate the two. The winner will lay a huge marker for the 2018/19 title. What else should we expect?

A pertinent question to all the defenders picked of Sunday will be on how to stop two Arab brothers if there are both unleashed for the contest.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on September 29, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 28, 2018 - Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe)

Mohamed Salah

The 26-year-old needs no introduction. Salah became the first African since George Weah to be shortlisted for FIFA’s prime individual accolade for a top male footballer, eventually getting pipped to the award by Croatia’s Luka Modric. He still won the FIFA Puskas Award though, for scoring the best goal for the 2017-2018 season. Today, we are not going to go deep into his fairytale debut season last year with Liverpool but about what’s at stake right now. Liverpool suffered an embarrassing 1-0 loss at Napoli midweek in the Champions League after a lifeless performance in Naples. They have not won all their last three matches in all competitions against Napoli and Chelsea after winning all of their opening matches. The fable that they were bullying lesser teams looks like a reality at the face of the most recent results. The face of that Liverpool side, failing to win has been arguably Salah - who did not score a single goal in those matches. With high expectations on him to repeat the ridiculous feat of last season, he looks like he may be contending with the pressure that comes with it. Naysayers have already made him news headlines on several platforms. It all comes down to this weekend, with Liverpool keen to go back to winning ways and have a go at the current champions, making their case for being future champions and Salah also keen to go back on the scoresheet and remind the world and Anfield that silverware is what they are after; that they will beat the best if they have to. A scoring Salah will easily be considered to be consistent with a Liverpool that means business.

Riyad Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Oxford United and Manchester City at Kassam Stadium on September 25, 2018 in Oxford, England.

(Sept. 24, 2018 - Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)

This North African knows one or two things about winning silverwares. He has his own fairytale to reminisce, that narrates the unbelievable 2015/16 epl triumph by Leicester City. Riyad pulled all the strings in that Leicester side, aiding Jamie Vardy’s development to be a prolific striker. Unlike Salah, he is not City’s face, at least not for now. After switching to Manchester this summer in deal that made him the club’s record signing, the 27-year-old is yet to secure a regular starting position in Guardiola’s team. It cannot be any easier now, with Kevin De Bruyne expected to return to the side after being sidelined with injury. Mahrez’s favorite position over the years has grown to be the right wing, where he can cut inside with his left foot and from time to time, smash the ball to the far bottom corner beyond the goalkeeper’s reach. The chop and score has become the Mahrez trademark move. England’s Raheem Sterling has been quite efficient in that right wing position, scoring four times and assisting two others in six premier league starts. Bernardo Silva has on occasion, been deployed in that position as well and could continue in that light, now that David Silva and De Bruyne look to be picking up their protagonistic roles once again. Put simply, competition for Mahrez at City is quite tough. Whether he gets a starting role on Sunday, only Pep knows. What’s apparent is that he will have a mark on the game. He has to in his journeying of impressing the gaffer. He has scored a total of three goals in all of his three starts for City this campaign. Actually, two of the goals were from the bench against Cardiff. He is ready, starting or otherwise - he is looking to influence.

Last time out

The most recent Liverpool and Manchester City match in the premier league finished 4-3 after Liverpool had leaped to a 4-1 lead with both Salah and Mane getting their names on the score sheet. Liverpool inflicted City’s first defeat of the season last time;will Salah lead Liverpool to do it again or will Mahrez move not to allow it?

“A pertinent question to all the defenders picked of Sunday will be on how to stop two Arab brothers if there are both unleashed for the contest.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa