The African Cup of Nations has always been the pride and cultural representation for Africans.
Talented footballers have taken up the responsibility to manage their home teams and raise the bar post-retirement.
Just two African football legends have been able to achieve the feat of winning the AFCON as player and manager.
1. Mahmoud El-Gohary
Mahmoud Nuseir Youssef El-Gohary is the first African player to win the AFCON as a player and a coach.
Born in Cairo Egypt, the talented young footballer devoted his youth to defending his nation through sport despite numerous injuries.
In 1959, Mahmoud El-Gohary helped his country clinch the AFCON title and emerged as the competition's top scorer.
He is also the only African player to have scored a hard trick in two AFCON editions (1963 and 1970).
Post-retirement, the record breaker brought back some coaching experience from the Saudi Pro League to his hometown.
In 1990, Mahmoud took Egypt to the World Cup, ending a 54 year absence from the competition.
He arrived in Burkina Faso in 1998 and beat South Africa 2-0 at the finals to win the 4th AFCON title for his country as manager.
Read More: World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: 20 African Countries Without Approved Stadiums
2. Stephen Keshi
 |
| Stephen "Big Boss" Keshi Jubilates after winning Nigeria'a third AFCON title in 2013 as Coach |
Stephen Okechukwu Keshi is a former footballer and coach who came with a similar enthusiasm as El-Gohary.
The former Super Eagles captain started his international career in 1981 as a defender for the Nigerian team and played 60 caps for his country.
1994 was a great year for Stephen as Nigeria qualified for the FIFA World Cup and the won the African Cup of Nations where Nigeria defeated Zambia (2-1) in Tunisia.
The defender retired a year later after scoring 9 goals for his country.
Stephen Keshi came back as manager of his country in 2011.
After gaining experience as a coach abroad and with the Togolese national team, he took the Super eagles to the 2013 AFCON in South Africa and beat Burkina Faso to earn their 3rd continental crown.
Final Words
Winning a title for your country is one of the greatest achievements for any sports person.
In the majority of players never get to do it. So Stephen Keshi and Mahmoud El-Gohary are in a distinctive club of their own.
With AFCON 2023 few weeks away, Cameroonian Veteran defender and current manager Rigobert Song will be looking to join the list of legends as teams prepare towards the 34th edition of the AFCON, which will kick off in January 2024, in the Ivory Coast.
Can you think of any other African football legend who has won the AFCON as player and as manager or who is close to doing so?
Let us know in the comment section
Also Read: All The Coaches Who Have Managed The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon