AFCON Winners: Stephen Keshi, Clive Barker, Fae, and the Dozen African Coaches Triumphing in Glory

• The 2023 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations concluded with Ivory Coast as champions
• Coach, Emerse Fae, became the 12th African manager to have lifted the AFCON trophy
• Sports Brief takes a look at the 12 African coaches that have won the Cup of Nations

The thrilling 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) reached its climax with host nation, Ivory Coast, securing a victory in the final against Nigeria.

However, Les Elephants' path towards triumph at the Cup of Nations, which remains one of football’s finest fairytales, undoubtedly bore the unmistakable mark of coach Emerse Fae.

The 40-year-old took charge of the Ivorian national team midway through the tournament, stepping in after the Ivorian Football Federation (IFF) dismissed veteran manager, Jean-Louis Gasset, following a humiliating four-nil loss to Equatorial Guinea.

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Despite his apparent lack of experience, Fae successfully rallied the team, leading them to a remarkable turnaround and ultimately securing the AFCON title in front of a packed crowd at the Stade Alassane Ouattara.

This victory not only marked a historic moment for the former Clermont reserve team coach but also solidified his place in African football history, making him the 12th African coach to lift the AFCON crown.

Reflecting on Fae's remarkable achievement, Sports Brief takes a moment to acknowledge all managers of African descent who have claimed victory in the Cup of Nations.

African coaches that have won AFCON

Mourad Fahmy (Egypt) - Sudan 1957

The renowned former Al Ahly midfielder served as the coach of the Egyptian national football team from 1955 to 1958. Under his leadership, Egypt clinched the inaugural African Cup of Nations title in 1957. Following his coaching career, Fahmy played a pivotal role as a founding member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

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Charles Gyamfi (Ghana) - Ghana 1963, Tunisia 1965 and Libya 1982

Gyamfi etched his name in history as the first coach to lead the Ghanaian national team to victory in the AFCON on three occasions.

Before his coaching career, Gyamfi was a trailblazer as the first African to play in the German Bundesliga during his playing days.

After retiring from coaching, Gyamfi continued to contribute to football as a member of FIFA's Technical Study Group for the 1999 and 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Fred Osam Doudu (Ghana) - Ghana 1978

The former coach of the Ghana national football team achieved a historic victory by winning the 1978 edition of the AFCON on home soil.

This highly experienced manager also found success in age-grade football, notably winning the 1993 African U-20 Cup of Nations and securing a silver medal at the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Additionally, he led Ghana during the 2002 African Cup of Nations held in Mali.

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Abdelhamid Kermali (Algeria) - Algeria 1990

Kermali's legacy is indelibly marked in the annals of Algerian football history. He made history as the first Algerian coach to lead the national team to its inaugural continental trophy, winning the 1990 African Cup of Nations hosted in Algeria. Additionally, he steered the team to victory in the 1991 Afro-Asian Cup of Nations.

Martial Yeo (Ivory Coast) - Senegal 1992

The 80-year-old guided Ivory Coast to their first AFCON triumph in 1992, following successful spells managing Africa Sports and the Niger national team. He later returned to the Ivorian football setup as Technical Director in 2004.

Clive Barker (South Africa) - South Africa 1996

Nicknamed "The Dog," he remains the only South African manager to have achieved AFCON success with Bafana Bafana. His historic side defeated Tunisia two-nil to clinch the Cup of Nations crown in 1996.

Mohamed El-Gohary (Egypt) - Burkina Faso 1998

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In addition to winning the AFCON title with Egypt in 1998, El-Gohary also guided the Pharaohs to qualification for the FIFA World Cup in Italy. Under his leadership, the Egyptian team achieved their all-time highest ranking of 37th on the FIFA rankings.

Hassan Shehata (Egypt) - Egypt 2006, Ghana 2008, Angola 2010

The iconic Egyptian coach still holds the record for the most consecutive AFCON titles won. Shehata's Egyptian side dominated the continent, proving too strong for any opponent they faced for three consecutive Cup of Nations.

Stephen Keshi (Nigeria) - South Africa 2013

The Nigerian coach made history by becoming the first Nigerian to win the AFCON both as a player and as a manager. The success of the former Nigerian captain remains the most recent triumph of the Super Eagles to date.

Djamel Belmadi (Algeria) - Egypt 2019

The former Algerian midfielder led the Desert Foxes to their first AFCON crown since their triumph in 1990. The 47-year-old recently called time on his reign as manager following his side’s disappointing outing in Ivory Coast.

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Aliou Cisse (Senegal) - Cameroon 2021

The Senegalese coach made history by securing the West African nation's first Cup of Nations trophy at the 33rd edition of the showpiece in Cameroon. Cisse's team needed penalties to overcome a resilient Egyptian side on the night.

Emerse Fae (Ivory Coast) - Ivory Coast 2023

The 40-year-old made history by defeating the Nigerian national team in the final to clinch Ivory Coast’s third crown in the history of the AFCON.

Reasons why Nigeria lost AFCON final

Sports Brief in another report highlighted four reasons the Super Eagles of Nigeria, lost the AFCON final against Ivory Coast.

Jose Peseiro’s team headed into the final as favourites but surprisingly lost to the Ivorians, against the predictions of many.