Top African teams are showing a preference for local coaches and the results are there to see.
Half of the teams that will take part in the inaugural African Football League (AFL) are under home grown managers most of whom have performed well.
Here we look at the managers and their performance so far. Will they make a difference at Africa’s biggest stage?
1.Rhulani Mokwena (Mamelodi Sundowns)-Mokwena comes from a footballing family. He is the son of a former Orlando Pirates player Julius Sono and a nephew to renown South African football club owner Jomo Sono.
He was appointed co-coach of Mamelodi Sundowns in 2020-2022 season before taking over officially in the 2022-2023 season where he led the team to winning the South African league title.
The team also reached the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League where they eliminated by Moroccan club Wydad AC.
2.George Finidi (Enyimba)
After an illustrious career with the Nigerian Super Eagles, Finidi George has been trying to project the same charm on Enyimba.
He took over as head coach of Enyimba in 2021 and went on to win the Nigerian Premier League (NPL) in 2023.
Finidi is among the well-known coaches having played for Nigeria in two World Cups-1994 and 1998. He had his football career in Spain and Netherlands.
3.Lamine Ndiaye (T.P Mazembe)
He was re-appointed as head coach of TP Mazembe in April this year after his first stint helped the club win the 2010 CAF Champions League.
He is a former Senegalese international with vast experience that should help T.P Mazembe who are on a revival to make a difference in the AFL.
Apart from winning the Champions League, he also led T.P Mazembe to win silver at the 2013 Fifa Club World Cup.
4.Adil Ramzi (Waydad Casablanca)
The 46-year-old former Moroccan international was re-appointed head coach in April 2023. He made 34 appearances for the Atlas Lions scoring four goals. He will have the tough task of helping the club register success.
