10 women coaches shaping the future of African sport

Across African sport, a quiet but powerful shift is underway.

From football pitches in Johannesburg to basketball courts in Lagos, women are moving from the sidelines into the tactical center of the game.

These coaches are not only winning titles but also redefining leadership in African sport, building pathways for the next generation of athletes and reshaping global perceptions of the continent’s sporting talent. 

Their rise reflects a broader trend in African women’s sports leadership, where experience as former players is now translating into high-performance coaching careers.

In football, basketball, rugby, and beyond, these women are driving competitive success while expanding opportunities in systems long dominated by men.

The result is a new era of African sport shaped by strategy, resilience, and results. 

From World Cup breakthroughs to continental championships, their influence is now measurable on the global stage.

Desiree Ellis (South Africa) 

Desiree Ellis has become one of the most influential figures in African women’s football.

As head coach of South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, she guided the team to its first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in 2022 and a historic knockout-stage appearance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

A former player and founding national team member, Ellis has built a reputation for tactical discipline and consistency, earning multiple CAF Women’s Coach of the Year awards while elevating South Africa into a global contender.

Rena Wakama (Nigeria) 

Rena Wakama has rapidly emerged as a defining figure in African basketball coaching.

Appointed head coach of Nigeria’s D’Tigress in 2023, she led the team to AfroBasket success and a landmark Olympic quarterfinal appearance in Paris 2024. 

Her leadership has positioned Nigeria as Africa’s most consistent women’s basketball force, earning her FIBA Coach of the Tournament recognition and strengthening her profile as one of the continent’s youngest elite coaches.

Liz Mills (Australia/Kenya) 

Liz Mills broke global barriers in African basketball by becoming the first female head coach of a men’s national team at a FIBA continental championship.

Her stint with Kenya at AfroBasket 2021 marked a historic milestone in coaching inclusion. 

She also became the first woman to coach in the Basketball Africa League, expanding her influence across men’s professional basketball in Africa and challenging long-standing gender norms in the sport.

Salma Al-Majidi (Sudan) 

Salma Al-Majidi made history as the first Arab woman to coach men’s football teams in Sudan.

Starting with youth sides at Al-Hilal, she progressed to managing second-division men’s clubs, breaking cultural and structural barriers in the process. 

Recognized by FIFA and BBC Arabic, Al-Majidi is widely regarded as a pioneer for women in coaching within conservative football environments across North Africa and the Middle East.

Mercy Tagoe (Ghana) 

Mercy Tagoe transitioned from a key figure in Ghana’s women’s national team to a respected coach, helping shape the Black Queens’ competitive identity.

She played at the 1999 and 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cups before moving into coaching roles. 

As a coach, she guided Ghana to success at the WAFU Women’s Cup, reinforcing her legacy as both a player and tactician in Ghanaian football development.

Doreen Nabwire (Kenya) 

Doreen Nabwire made history as the first Kenyan woman to play professional football in Europe before moving into coaching and football administration.

She remains a central figure in Kenya’s women’s football development structure. 

Through roles at the Football Kenya Federation and grassroots programs like Girls Unlimited, she has focused on talent development and long-term structural growth of women’s football.

Radia Fertoul (Algeria) 

Radia Fertoul has led Algeria’s women’s national team since 2018, guiding the side through multiple Africa Women’s Cup of Nations campaigns.

Her leadership continues to anchor the team’s international development efforts. 

Despite structural challenges, she has helped maintain Algeria’s presence in continental football while pushing for greater competitiveness at the international level.

Rachel Ankomah (Ghana) 

Rachel Ankomah is a Ghanaian rugby coach and sports entrepreneur building one of West Africa’s most visible women-led sports development platforms.

She founded Accra Majestics Sports Academy. 

Her work in rugby and sports administration has earned multiple national awards, positioning her as a leading advocate for women and youth inclusion in African sport.

Florence Omagbemi (Nigeria) 

Florence Omagbemi is a rare figure in African football history, winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations both as a player and coach with Nigeria’s Super Falcons. 

She remains a symbol of continuity in Nigerian football success, having captained and later coached one of Africa’s most dominant women’s teams.

Victoria Conteh (Sierra Leone) 

Victoria Conteh made history as the first woman to coach a men’s Premier League team in Sierra Leone.

Her appointment marked a breakthrough moment for gender representation in West African football. 

A CAF-licensed coach, she has expressed ambition to compete at the highest domestic level, reinforcing her role as a barrier-breaking figure in Sierra Leonean sport.