The African national team coaches currently without a job
These African national team coaches did fine work with their respective sides. Most of them helped...
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They were all in the spotlight a few months ago. Now they have dropped off the radar. The reason: they no longer have a national team to coach. Sport News Africa looks back at these African coaches, in a list that is far from exhaustive, who are currently without a contract.
Amir Abdou
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Amir Abdou is the latest African coach to join this list. The French-Comorian coach was dismissed after Mauritania failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Yet in a little over 2 years, the 52-year-old did a real job with the Mourabitounes. His record is more than impressive, even if it ended on a sour note.
Read also: Espérance de Tunis: Amir Abdou will not be the coach
Under Amir Abdou, Mauritania reached the last 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, against all expectations. It was a first in the country's history. Beyond that historic achievement, the Comorian shaped the side into a very attractive, attack-minded team.
Aliou Cissé
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Aliou Cissé’s momentum was interrupted. He was preparing for the two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi in October. A few days before he was due to announce his squad, the verdict came. Senegal's Ministry of Sports decided not to continue with him, and his contract was not renewed. He was replaced by Pape Thiaw, whose appointment was confirmed by the federation.
Read also: Pape Thiaw appointed Senegal coach
Having taken charge of Senegal in March 2015, Aliou Cissé helped the Lions get back to the front rank. Under Cissé, Senegal became a force on the continent again, winning the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, beating Egypt in the final. The Senegalese side also played at two World Cups (2018 and 2022) during his tenure.
Kaba Diawara
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Kaba Diawara was taken aback by his dismissal. After the 2024 Olympics with the Syli U23, the Guinean coach moved on to preparing the senior side for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. And then the axe fell. He was sacked and replaced by Charles Paquille.
Read also: Guinea: Kaba Diawara, the controversial revelations
The decision by Guinean Football Federation president Bouba Sampil was not endorsed by some members of the executive committee. It surprised more than a few. The consequence was immediate: the qualifying campaign was botched and the Syli National failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
With Kaba Diawara, Guinea had a fine 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. They reached the quarter-finals, where they were knocked out by DR Congo.
Djamel Belmadi
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After Algeria's latest group-stage exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Djamel Belmadi was removed from his post as national team coach. Since the Fennecs won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, he had never managed to find the formula to shine again at the tournament. The team suffered two early exits at the Africa Cup of Nations, in 2022 in Cameroon and in 2024 in Ivory Coast.
Read also: Algeria: Djamel Belmadi reportedly close to a return
The 48-year-old has been without a job since 24 January 2024. He has been linked with Qatari clubs and with the Qatar national team job. These are only rumours, as nothing has been agreed for the moment.
Jalel Kadri
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Jalel Kadri failed to get Tunisia firing at the latest Africa Cup of Nations. The Eagles of Carthage went out in the group stage. The 52-year-old announced his resignation after the draw with South Africa in the 3rd and final group game.
Read also: 2023 Africa Cup of Nations: Jalel Kadri throws in the towel
"My mission at the head of the Tunisian national team is now over. […] In terms of efficiency, we weren't efficient enough. All the signs were positive before the competition. We found a problem tactically, especially in the first match (editor's note: a 1-0 defeat to Namibia). We tried to solve it, but unfortunately we didn't manage it by the end of this competition. We take responsibility", he told the media in Korhogo (northern Ivory Coast).