A Quiet revolution at AFCON 2025: African minds take the helm of the semi-finalists

For the first time in modern memory, no foreign names remain

A Quiet revolution at AFCON 2025: African minds take the helm of the semi-finalists

Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and Senegal reached the AFCON 2025 semi-final in Morocco delivering powerful message beyond the scorelines:

• All four contender led by African coaches

For first-time in recent tournament memory ,, the last four of the Africa Cup of Nations guided entirely by African expertise.

Three of the semi finalists, Egypt, Morocco & Senegal coached by nationals of their own countries. The fourth, Nigeria led by Eric Chelle a former Mali international whose African pedigree and tactical identity have reshaped Super Eagles.

🇪🇬 Egypt: Hossam Hassan, legend chasing glory from the bench

Hossam Hassan is not just Egypt’s head coach, he is one of African football’s iconic forwards. A three time AFCON winner as player and Egypt’s all time top scorer with 69 goal, Hassan now carries the Pharaohs hopes from the touchline.

Appointed in 2024 he has already guided Egypt to AFCON semi finals and World Cup qualification.

🇲🇦 Morocco: Walid Regragui, world Cup trailblazer

Walid Regragui’s name is already etched into history. He led Morocco to the semi finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 the first African nation to reach that stage and arrived with club pedigree after winning the CAF Champions League with Wydad AC.

At AFCON 2025, Morocco have combined control with efficiency advancing past Cameroon in quarter finals and carrying the weight of home expectation into semi final against Nigeria.

🇸🇳 Senegal: Pape Thiaw, the homegrown successor

Pape Thiaw has continued Senegal’s tradition of stability. A member of the iconic 2002 World Cup squad, he stepped in after Aliou Cissé and quickly delivered, winning the African Nations Championship (2022) and guiding Teranga Lions to another deep AFCON 2025 run.

🇳🇬 Nigeria: Eric Chelle, African tactician with a fresh Super Eagles imprint

Nigeria’s resurgence has been shaped by Eric Chelle. Appointed in January 2025, the former Mali international brought organisation and intensity to squad rich in talent.

The Super Eagles swept their group and knocked out Algeria earning semi-final date with hosts Morocco.

With Egypt facing Senegal & Morocco meeting Nigeria, AFCON 2025’s decisive week is also referendum on African coaching, built on local knowledge, player management and tactical identity rather than imported reputations