CAN 2022: a not so feminine African Cup on the sidelines
The American Randy Waldrum, coach of Nigeria, is one of the nine men to lead one of the twelve selections participating in the CAN 2022 women.
Getty Images - Brad Smith/ISI Photos
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
4 mins
Only three of the twelve teams participating in the African Cup of Nations have a woman at their head: Desiree Ellis with South Africa, Gaoletlhoo Nkutlwisang with Botswana and Kaï Tomety with Togo.
A situation not specific to Africa but which persists and raises questions.
Advertising
Read more
From our special correspondent in Rabat,
They were 3 in 2014, 2 in 2016 and in 2018. And this year, they are still 3 coaches at the head of a selection competing in the Women's African Cup of Nations.
A
CAN 2022
during which there are therefore more participating teams – 12 against 8 previously – but not necessarily more coaches.
A situation far from being specific to Africa, 6 of the 16 positions at Euro 2022 (July 6-31 in England) being occupied by women, 4 out of 10 at the Copa Americana (July 8-30) and 3 out of 8 at the Concacaf Women's Championship (July 4-18).
The phenomenon just seems more pronounced on the continent.
To the great displeasure of Kaï Tomety, who is leading Togo to its first CAN final phase: "
We think that we must leave room for women in other countries to coach girls because I don't see any women in men's football .
Men have to give way to women
, she says.
I was a former player and I dreamed all my career to play the CAN.
I am here today as a symbol of an entire people and of all Togolese women who play football.
They all put their trust in me and that's why I'm at the head of the Ladies Sparrowhawks
”.
The Togolese Kaï Tomety, coach of the Eperviers Ladies at the CAN 2022 women.
© RFI/David Kalfa
"Having a female coach for a women's team is better"
The Togolese striker Mafille Woedikou, who also plays under the orders of the French
Ophélie Meilleroux in Yzeure
(French second division), declares without hesitation that she prefers female coaches to male coaches.
"
Without lying, it's really different
," she says.
The way male coaches coach and take on female players is different from the way female coaches take on us.
Between women, we manage to understand each other quickly.
So I think having a female coach for a female team is better!
»
Bruce Mwape, who leads Zambia, however, assures that he does not want to steal the work of his colleagues: “
Even us, as male coaches, we would like to encourage female coaches to take over.
We want football in our countries to be led by more female coaches.
I'm sure that's what we're trying to achieve everywhere.
»
Lack of support from federations and training
Desiree Ellis, patron saint of South African women, is a bit of an exception in the landscape of women's football in Africa.
In Morocco, she is in her third consecutive final phase with the Banyana Banyana.
A longevity that she explains in part as follows: "
The president of our federation, Dr Danny Jordaan, took a position very early on: that all female selections, including the under 17s and the under 20s, be led by coaches
.
I think it's up to the federation to give women coaches a chance.
And, in addition to creating opportunities, it is necessary to ensure that they will benefit from real support when they access qualified positions.
I think those are the two main points when appointing someone.
It's really important
”.
South African Desiree Ellis, here at the 2019 World Cup, is the continent's iconic coach.
Getty Images - Marcio Machado
Even if she shares Desiree Ellis's observation, the Ivorian Clémentine Touré, another iconic technician on the continent, offers an additional explanation.
"
I think there are a lot of women who find it difficult to come to training.
So we have to encourage them to come and train: former players, physical education and sports teachers who have mastered football.
[…] We have to help them obtain the various coaching diplomas.
It's very advantageous and it can help them in their career.
In some countries it is therefore difficult to find female coaches and in others there is a lack of confidence.
It's up to women to assert themselves and gain self-confidence.
I have given courses in some countries and I have seen how difficult it is for some to come.
In some countries, there is competition between women and men.
[…] Women deserve to be on the staff of women's national teams
“, concludes the one who would see herself coaching men one day.
Words by Kaï Tomety collected by Hugo Moissonnier
CAN 2022 women: calendar, rankings and results
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Women's football
AFCON 2022
Sports