Coaching in Africa is organised through the CAF Coaching Convention, a ladder of licences that runs from community courses to the Pro licence needed for top-level club and international football.

Start with grassroots courses

Most coaches begin with introductory and grassroots courses run by their national association, often with FIFA or CAF support. These cover safe training sessions for children, basic techniques and how to organise small-sided games. Many associations, including South Sudan's, run month-long intensive courses for coaches from their local associations.

The CAF licences

  • CAF C licence: the first formal qualification, for coaches of youth and amateur teams. It covers session planning, technical skills and coaching methods. The South Sudan Football Association, for example, graduated 30 coaches with CAF C diplomas in 2023.
  • CAF B licence: for coaches of senior amateur and lower-division teams, with more tactics, match analysis and physical preparation.
  • CAF A licence: for coaches in national top divisions and assistant roles with national teams.
  • CAF Pro licence: the highest qualification, required for head coaches in CAF club competitions and for national-team head coaches in major tournaments.

Each level combines classroom sessions, practical coaching, a period of supervised work with a team and an assessment. Coaches usually need several years of experience between levels.

Specialist courses

CAF and national associations also offer courses for goalkeeper coaches, fitness coaches and youth development, as well as futsal and beach soccer.

Recognition abroad

CAF licences are recognised across Africa. Coaches who want to work in Europe usually need their qualifications assessed by the relevant association, and may need to complete a UEFA course.

Tips for aspiring coaches

  • Coach regularly at any level: experience counts in every course.
  • Learn to analyse matches; our formations guide is a good start.
  • Keep up with the language of the game and the Laws.
  • Look for African coaches who made it: many recent AFCON winners were led by local coaches, such as Aliou Cissé with Senegal in 2022.