Abidjan, Ivory Coast, is set to host the highly anticipated TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2023 Coaches Symposium, bringing together some of the most iconic names in African football. The event, taking place on Thursday and Friday, September 12-13, will provide a unique platform for African football legends and national team coaches to exchange insights and strategies.
Among the notable attendees are Nigeria’s interim Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen and former midfield maestro Austin Jay-Jay Okocha.
Both figures hold legendary status in Nigerian football, and their presence at the symposium underscores the significance of the event in fostering collaboration among the continent’s top football minds.
The symposium will also feature a star-studded lineup of current and former football greats from across Africa.
Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, Senegalese football icon El Hadji Diouf, and South African legend Mark Fish will be among the attendees, along with former Cameroon goalkeeper Antoine Bell.
These celebrated figures are expected to contribute their wealth of experience to the discussions, which aim to elevate the standard of African football coaching.
Joining them will be a range of other renowned football figures, including Fulham veteran Luis Boa Morte, now coaching Guinea-Bissau, and Pape Thiaw of Senegal.
Also participating is Emerse Faé, who led Ivory Coast to victory in the 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Faé’s recent success with the host nation will likely be a focal point of discussions at the symposium.
The event marks the first-ever gathering of such a large number of national team coaches from across Africa, with fifty coaches from CAF’s member associations expected to participate.
This historic gathering offers a rare opportunity for African coaches to share their tactical knowledge, experiences, and innovative approaches to the game.
CAF’s initiative reflects the growing importance of developing coaching talent on the continent as African football continues to gain prominence on the global stage.
The symposium aims to foster an environment where African coaches can learn from one another and collaborate on new methods to improve the overall standard of football across the continent.
For many of the attendees, the symposium provides not only a chance to reconnect with fellow legends but also a critical platform to discuss the future of African football.
The exchange of ideas is expected to cover a range of topics, from tactical innovations to the development of young talent, as African football continues its rise in global stature.
As the host nation for the upcoming AFCON 2023, Ivory Coast holds special significance in this symposium, with its football culture and history expected to be highlighted throughout the event.
With legends such as Okocha, Eguavoen, and Faé taking part, the symposium promises to be an influential moment in the future of African football coaching.
