Portrait
CAN 2022 Women: Ivorian Clémentine Touré, symbol of perseverance
The Ivorian Clémentine Touré.
© Courtesy of CAF
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
6 mins
Clémentine Touré is the emblematic coach of the Ivory Coast women's team.
Even if the Ivorians did not qualify for CAN 2022, the renowned technician, who won CAN 2008 and competed in the 2015 World Cup, would not have missed this African Cup of Nations in Morocco under any circumstances.
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From our special correspondent in Rabat,
Where could Clémentine Touré, one of the most famous coaches on the continent, be in this month of July 2022, if not at the Women's African Cup of Nations (
CAN 2022
)?
During this final phase in Morocco, the 45-year-old Ivorian indeed follows the matches.
But from the stands... And for good reason: his team from Côte d'Ivoire came up against that of Nigeria, in qualifying.
“
It's always painful when you don't qualify for this kind of international event
,” sighs the one who is part of the CAF technical study group during the tournament.
Painful, especially when it's the third failure in a row, after participation in the 2012 and 2014 editions and the 2015 World Cup. “
Obviously, I'm in great pain, adds the person concerned.
It's really difficult to live as a situation.
But, at some point, when there are difficulties, you must not abandon the children in whom you have trusted and who have also trusted in you
”.
In other words, Clémentine Touré, who horns the Elephants since 2010, is not ready to give up her tracksuit.
“
I'm not really worried about these results
, she relativizes.
There is quality here.
There were problems at the organizational level, things that the national team lacked.
But we did not succeed and we question ourselves.
[…] And we continue to train good players, like Rosemonde Kouassi who was voted best hope of the French First Division Championship
”.
“My father chased me on the football pitches”
Clémentine Touré does not seem the type to give up.
When she was young, to live her passion, for example, she had to deal with the opposition of her father, yet a former pro player at ASEC Mimosas.
“
Despite that, he always objected to me playing football.
My father even stopped my older brother from playing football.
He wanted me to succeed in my studies
, says the native of Ferkessedougou (northern Côte d'Ivoire).
In the 1980s and 1990s, football was not as recognized as it is now.
And a woman who plays football, it was not his conception
.
To the point of sometimes provoking his anger.
“
I was beaten several times on the football pitches
, she almost laughs.
He was chasing me on the grounds
".
Even when a golden opportunity presented itself to the young woman, her father came to remind her of the family motto: studies first.
“
I did not have a practice of very high-level player
, thus estimates Clémentine Touré.
I played in Ghana and Ivory Coast.
In 1998, I could have gone to the United States, in a university team.
But there was the competition of the National Institute of Youth and Sports of Abidjan
”.
Masculine dictates
With her degree as a physical education teacher, Clémentine Touré decided to embark on a career as a trainer.
There too, the young athlete comes up against male dictates.
“
During an internship in Abidjan which took place at the National Technical Directorate, I had been chased away, I can say.
I had been told that I could not take part in this course.
It really impressed me...
"
A situation that repeated itself, to the point of making her crack one day.
“
I left a course crying.
With the help of a manager, Clémentine Touré was finally accepted.
“
I was assessed on the men's scale.
I confirmed that I was able to.
And with the grace of God, I was major of this internship
, ”she still savors today.
A (RE) READ ► CAN 2022: a not so feminine African Cup on the benches
But skepticism is never far away.
"
In 2006, I was appointed assistant coach of the women's team in Côte d'Ivoire
," she explains.
It had been controversial.
How could a team be entrusted to a young student who had just finished her studies?
So I went to coach clubs instead
.”
Revelation and Consecration in Equatorial Guinea
While coaching the Amazons of Koumassi during a tournament in Burkina Faso, Clémentine Touré was spotted by the leaders of Equatoguinean football, the women's national team being there to prepare for the CAN 2006. Inevitably, she was the only woman to coach during this competition.
“
Maybe I was a curiosity for them
,” she slips.
In any case, he offers him to come and take care of a local club.
In the space of a few months, the Ivorian and her players sweep away everything in their path.
Impressed, the Equatoguinean federation entrusts its national A team abroad, while the CAN 2008 at home is looming.
Even today, Clémentine Touré warmly thanks the authorities of the country.
“
It was a challenge for the leaders of Equatorial Guinea and I think they were not wrong since the end result was this coronation!
»
Clémentine Touré and her players are indeed the first to break Nigeria's hegemony in the Women's African Cup of Nations.
“
In 2008, the resources were made available to us.
On this occasion, we made the best preparation that I have ever had, I think.
The team was great.
We really felt like we were with a male selection
.
Changemaker
It was then quite naturally that Clémentine Touré took her place at the head of her country's women's team.
With the main feats of arms that we know: a third place at the CAN 2014 and participation in the 2015 World Cup that went with it.
So many events that have helped Ivorian women's football to be more recognized and socially accepted.
“
Today, I am surprised to see parents come to me and say: '
My daughter is 13 and she wants to play football, can you guide us?
' If only I had had this chance when I was a child…
”, says the technician.
The 40-year-old sets no limits in her career on the benches.
“
I think with the training I've received, I'm ready and I think I can coach a men's team.
Yes, I can do it
, she says.
An adage among us says: 'When a woman wants, God wants'.
So you have to believe in yourself and go all the way
”.
CAN 2022 women: calendar, rankings and results
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