WAFCON 2026: Valentine Nguele joins the exclusive circle of African champion female coaches

By leading the Indomitable Lionesses to continental glory on 16 August 2026, the Cameroonian tactician made history in Cameroonian football and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroon’s women’s team made history on Sunday night by winning their very first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title. But beyond this historic achievement, Cameroon’s coach, Valentine Nguele, has joined an exclusive club. She has become the fifth female coach to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with her national team.

Before her, only four female coaches had managed to lift the continental trophy. Clémentine Touré of Ivory Coast won the title in 2008 with Equatorial Guinea. Two years later, Nigeria’s Eucharia Uche led the Super Falcons to victory in 2010.

In 2016, another Nigerian, Florence Omagbemi, led Nigeria to the continental title. Then, in 2022, South African Desiree Ellis made history with the Banyana Banyana.

By winning WAFCON 2026 with Cameroon, Valentine Nguele has therefore joined these four leading figures in African women’s football.