Coaching carousel spins ahead of Africa's World Cup qualifiers
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As the resumption of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Africa approaches, a wave of managerial changes has swept across the continent, injecting fresh tactics and philosophies into the high-stakes battle for a coveted spot in North America.
The focus is not only on the players but also on the significant coaching changes that have occurred during the six-month hiatus.
Matchdays 3 and 4 are set to kick off on Wednesday, with several teams debuting new leadership in hopes of securing their path to North America.
The coaching carousel has brought a mix of seasoned veterans and promising talents to the forefront, each eager to make their mark.
Group A: Egypt, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau embrace new leadership
In Group A, Egypt leads the pack, but their journey continues under new head coach Hossam Hassan. After a disappointing TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, Egypt parted ways with Rui Vitoria.
Hassan, a respected figure in Egyptian football, has vowed to steer the Pharaohs back to prominence.
"With or without the additional teams, our primary objective is to qualify for the World Cup, and we’re doing everything in our power to achieve this goal," Hassan remarked.
He acknowledged the increasing competitiveness of African football, noting that every match is a test of resilience and strategy.
Burkina Faso, another team from Group A that saw a change in their coaching staff, replaced Hubert Velud with Brama Traore.
Traore's task is to maintain Burkina Faso's strong form, having earned four points from their opening matches.
Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, welcomes Luis Boa Morte, the former Fulham assistant, who took over from Baciro Cande. Boa Morte's challenge will be to elevate the team from its middling start.
Group C: Nigeria entrusts Finidi George with the reins
In Group C, Nigeria made a bold move by appointing Super Eagles legend Finidi George as their head coach after Jose Peseiro's departure.
Despite reaching the AFCON final, Nigeria felt a change was necessary to boost their World Cup hopes. Finidi George is well aware of the expectations.
"The World Cup qualification matches against South Africa and Benin Republic are a collective responsibility for all Nigerians. I know I am in charge now and the heavy responsibility is on me to win the two World Cup matches," George stated.
His intimate knowledge of Nigerian football and his experience as an assistant coach should provide the Super Eagles with a tactical edge.
Zimbabwe also sees a shift in leadership, with Jairos Tapera taking the helm on an interim basis after Baltemar Brito's departure last December. Tapera’s primary goal will be to navigate Zimbabwe through a tough group and keep their qualification hopes alive.
Group F: Côte d'Ivoire's Resurgence Under Emerse Fae
Côte d'Ivoire, the reigning AFCON champions, look to continue their perfect start in Group F under the permanent leadership of Emerse Fae.
Fae, who led the team to glory after Jean-Louis Gasset's resignation, has solidified his position as head coach. His remarkable turnaround of the team's fortunes has instilled confidence among the players and fans alike.
Kenya and Gabon, also in Group F, face a stern challenge with Côte d'Ivoire’s resurgence. Gabon, under Patrice Neveu, and Kenya, led by Engin Firat, will need to bring their best to upset the group leaders.
Group I: Otto Addo Returns to Ghana
Perhaps the most high-profile coaching change is Otto Addo’s return to Ghana in Group I. After Chris Hughton’s sacking in January, Addo, who previously led Ghana at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, has been reappointed.
“The aim is to qualify. It will be difficult, especially the away game with Mali. They have a very good squad,” Addo acknowledged.
His familiarity with the team and understanding of the pressures of World Cup qualification will be crucial as Ghana seeks to improve on their mixed start.
Other Notable Changes and Upcoming Fixtures
In Group E, Niger is now under the guidance of Ezzaki Badou, while Tanzania has promoted Hemed Suleiman to interim head coach following Adel Amrouche’s exit.
Both coaches face uphill battles to keep their teams competitive in a tightly contested group.
With numerous fixtures on the horizon, including marquee matchups like Côte d'Ivoire vs. Gabon and Nigeria vs. South Africa, the next round of qualifiers promises to be thrilling.
As African nations prepare to take the field, the impact of these coaching changes will be scrutinized closely.