Female coaches want more representation in African football

What the report says

DW reports that women will remain underrepresented among head coaches when the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations begins in Morocco on July 26, despite some gains. The tournament will feature 16 national teams, but only four are set to have female head coaches: Cameroon, Zambia, Kenya and South Africa. Cameroon’s recent appointment of Valentine Nguel raised the total, while Zambia will be led by Swiss coach Nora Häuptle and South Africa by Desiree Ellis.

According to DW, the share of female head coaches at WAFCON has risen from two of 12 teams in 2025 to four of 16 in 2026. FIFA has also introduced a rule requiring women’s teams to include at least one female coach on the bench, prompting some teams to add women as assistants. In southern Africa, COSAFA had already required women to be part of coaching staffs, a policy Ellis said has helped create opportunities.

Ellis, who guided South Africa to the 2022 WAFCON title and has been named African women’s coach of the year four times, told DW that federations need to appoint women and provide real support. Kenya U-20 women’s coach Jackline Juma said female coaches often receive fewer chances and less backing than men, and suggested licensing rules could prioritize women for leadership roles in women’s teams.

DW also cited Vicky Huyton of the Female Coaching Network, who said many aspiring African female coaches lack a clear route from grassroots roles to elite jobs. The report notes that the issue is not limited to Africa, but points to emerging coaches in Morocco, Ivory Coast, Zambia and Kenya as signs of progress.