AFCON 2025: Local coaching success marks 'sea change' for the sport, expert says

Morocco's Road to Glory: A 'Sea Change' in African Football

As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations hurtles towards its final showdown between Morocco and Senegal, a telling trend has emerged that signals a significant shift in the sport. With all four semi-finalists boasting local coaches, the continent is witnessing an unprecedented surge in homegrown talent being touted as the future of African football.

According to Leslie Koroma Sr., CEO of Africa Sports Ventures Group, this marked a "sea change" for the sport. The emphasis on developing and promoting local coaching has been a game-changer, paving the way for fresh faces to take the reins at the highest level.

The seismic shift in approach has sent ripples throughout the football community, with implications that extend far beyond the pitches of Africa's most prominent tournaments. As a result, fans and pundits alike are now eagerly anticipating the next generation of African players to emerge and make their mark on the world stage.

With Morocco poised to lift the coveted trophy on Sunday, this pivotal tournament serves as a testament to the progress being made in African football. The question on everyone's lips is: what does this mean for the future of the sport?

Morocco's on fire ! Finally, Africa's got its act together & we're seeing the fruits of homegrown talent ! No more imports every 5 mins . Let's see if they can keep it up after winning AFCON

Umm... I think this "sea change" thing might be a bit overhyped ... I mean, we've seen all these local coaches coming up before, and it still hasn't led to that much of an impact on the overall quality of African football... But at the same time... if this really is starting to pay off, like with Morocco making it to the final, then maybe I was wrong about the whole local coach thing being a total game-changer?

I dunno, man. It's all so complicated... The fact that we're finally seeing some African teams do well in big tournaments is definitely a good sign, but can't we just enjoy it without overanalyzing everything? Can't we just be excited for the game on Sunday instead of speculating about what this means for the future of football?

I'm totally stoked about what's happening in Africa right now! The fact that local coaches are taking over and producing top-notch talent is a huge win for the continent. It's all about giving back to the roots, you know? Supporting local talent and giving them the platform to shine. And it's not just about the next gen of players, this shift in approach will have a ripple effect on the entire sport.

I mean, can you imagine watching an African team dominate on the global stage without any foreign influence? It's like a dream come true! Morocco's got this, Senegal too - we're gonna see some incredible stuff at the Africa Cup of Nations. And let's not forget the impact this will have on grassroots football across the continent. More opportunities for kids to play, develop their skills... it's all about creating a sustainable future for African football.

I'm hyped to see what the future holds! Bring on the next gen of African players and coaches - we're ready to take the world by storm!

I'm loving the vibes around African football right now! It's like the continent has finally found its footing and is starting to make waves globally. I remember watching old Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, and it was always about the foreign teams with their rich resources coming in to dominate. But this time, it's all about Morocco and Senegal going head-to-head, both with homegrown coaches at the helm! That's a beautiful thing.

The fact that local coaching is getting the recognition it deserves means we're finally seeing some real talent emerging from the continent. And let's be honest, there's nothing more satisfying than watching a team lift a trophy without any foreign interference . The future of African football looks bright, and I'm excited to see what the next generation has in store for us!

just heard that another major earthquake hit Indonesia it's like they can't catch a break, always something bad happening and now with all these young coaches coming up, I'm worried about their chances of coping with all this pressure maybe we'll see some burnout cases in the future

Morocco's got this Sea Change thing goin' on and it's like they're makin' waves in Africa Football , I guess all those homegrown coaches are like a fresh batch of biscuits, crumby but tasty . Seriously though, it's cool to see the local talent gettin' some love, and Senegal's gonna put up a fight, right? But for real, this is a big deal, and I'm hyped to see what the next gen of African players brings to the table !

I'm loving this shift towards more homegrown talent in African football! It's about time we see some African coaches and players making waves globally. This 'sea change' is gonna have a huge impact on the sport, not just in Africa but worldwide. Imagine seeing more of our brothers and sisters from across the continent lighting up the pitch and giving those big European clubs a run for their money We'll be seeing some amazing matches at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and I'm super stoked to see Morocco take home that trophy! The future of African football is looking bright

I'm loving this vibe ! It's all about supporting local talent and giving them a platform to shine. I think it's awesome that Morocco and Senegal are bringing homegrown coaches into the mix – it's like, totally changing the game (pun intended) . We've seen so many talented players come out of Africa in the past, and now we're seeing a whole new crop of fresh faces emerging from those same countries.

I'm stoked to see fans and pundits alike getting hyped about the next gen of African players – it's like, totally giving me life ! And can we talk about how refreshing it is to see a tournament that's all about celebrating the beauty of football? No drama, no politics – just good old-fashioned competition . Morocco's got this in the bag, but I'm all about the excitement and anticipation leading up to Sunday . Bring on the future of African football!

I think its about time Africa started taking control of their own football destiny! The whole local coach angle is giving me hope for the next gen players, and its sick to see Senegal making it to the final too. Morocco's been on fire this tournament tho, but I'm all about seeing more African teams lifting trophies in the future. This tournament feels like a major milestone and Im hyped to see where it takes the sport from here

I'm skeptical about all this hype around homegrown coaches and local talent making it big. Don't get me wrong, it's cool that Africa's finally catching up with the rest of the world, but let's not forget that football's a game of skill, not geography . Can we really rely on some untested coach from Morocco or Senegal to lead their team to victory? And what about the infrastructure and resources required to nurture these young players - it's one thing to talk the talk, another to walk the walk . I'm just keeping my expectations in check until I see some actual results

I think it's gonna be massive! All these young coaches coming up through the ranks are actually giving me hope that we're finally seeing a real shift in how African football is run. It's not just about throwing money at the problem anymore, it's about investing in the future of the game and building a sustainable pathway for players to develop. And let's be real, if Morocco wins this thing on Sunday, it'll be a huge confidence boost for the whole continent! The possibilities are endless... maybe we'll see African teams competing with the likes of Brazil and Argentina in the World Cup within 10 years? Wouldn't that be something?!

lol finally africa is getting its act together! it's about time we stop relying on europeans to make our teams successful. these local coaches are bringing a new level of passion and creativity to the game, and it's paying off . i'm loving the way morocco has dominated this tournament so far, they deserve that africa cup title . but seriously though, if we can sustain this momentum and develop more local talent, the future of african football looks super bright . we might just be the next big thing on the world stage!

I'm really hyped about what's happening with African football right now ! I remember watching those older games and thinking, "when are we gonna see some homegrown talent take center stage?" And now it seems like all that hard work is paying off . Those local coaches making a difference have definitely brought a fresh perspective to the game. I'm loving seeing young African players break into the scene – it's so inspiring ! The question is, what's next? Are we gonna see some African teams competing in the World Cup soon? Fingers crossed, right?!

Finally, some positive news about Africa! I'm so hyped for Morocco to win, but it's even more exciting to see all these young, local coaches making a difference in African football. It's like they're taking back control and showing the world what they're capable of! The fact that fans are now expecting big things from African players is a huge deal - we've seen so many talented teams come and go, but this time it feels different. Maybe, just maybe, Africa will start to give the rest of the world a run for their money? ️ Fingers crossed for Morocco!

I'm SO hyped about the new direction in African football! It's like, finally we're seeing some real changes happen . Local coaches taking over and showcasing that talent from the continent is going to be HUGE . Can't wait to see these young guns take the world stage by storm . Morocco's got this, but Senegal's gonna give 'em a run for their money . This Africa Cup of Nations has been everything and more – exciting, unpredictable, and totally worth it !