In a stunning pre-tournament upheaval, five African national team head coaches have been dismissed mere days before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to commence. The dramatic shake-up, which includes the sacking of former Chelsea manager Avram Grant, has thrown the preparations of several teams into chaos and sparked serious concerns about stability and readiness for the continent's premier football event.
Nations in Turmoil as Coaches Get the Axe
The timing of these decisions is particularly jarring, with the tournament scheduled to kick off on December 21, 2025, and conclude with the final on January 18, 2026. Instead of fine-tuning their final tactical plans, the affected squads are now forced to adapt to new leadership under immense time pressure. The list of dismissed managers is notable:
- Hemed Suleiman (Tanzania)
- Avram Grant (Zambia)
- Michael Nees (Zimbabwe)
- Pedro Gonçalves (Angola)
- Marc Brys (Cameroon)
The most prominent name is undoubtedly Avram Grant, the ex-Chelsea boss who was shown the door by the Zambian football federation. While the specific reasons for each dismissal vary—ranging from poor recent results to internal disagreements with their respective federations—the collective outcome is a climate of severe uncertainty just as the competition looms.
Pressure to Perform Creates Pre-AFCON Chaos
This unprecedented wave of sackings highlights the intense pressure on football federations to deliver success at the AFCON tournament. For the newly appointed technical crews, the challenge is monumental: they must implement new ideas, restore player confidence, and forge team cohesion in a matter of weeks. Supporters of the affected nations are left worrying whether their teams will struggle with tactical disarray and a lack of unity when the action begins in Morocco.
Amidst this backdrop of managerial drama, other football news continues to unfold. The world governing body, FIFA, is reportedly set to introduce two significant adjustments to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Furthermore, FIFA has also implemented a new rule just three weeks before AFCON 2025, though the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has yet to issue an official reaction.
Super Eagles Prepare Amidst External Criticism
While some nations grapple with crisis, three-time champions Nigeria are proceeding with their preparations. Head coach Eric Chelle has released a strong 54-man provisional squad list for the tournament. He is expected to trim this list down to the final 28 players by December 11. The Super Eagles, ranked among the title favourites alongside hosts Morocco, defending champions Ivory Coast, Senegal, Egypt, and Algeria, are bidding for a fourth continental crown.
However, Chelle has not been immune to criticism. Nigerian football administrator Tobi Adepoju publicly berated the coach for omitting Caykur Rizespor midfielder Ibrahim Olawoyin from the large provisional squad, citing the player's impressive contributions in the Turkish Super Lig. Despite the internal debate, the overall mood around the Nigerian camp remains focused on the prize in Morocco.
As the countdown to AFCON 2025 continues, the tournament promises to be a fiercely contested spectacle. Yet, the dramatic and last-minute firing of five head coaches has added a significant layer of unpredictability, setting the stage for a competition where off-field drama may prove just as compelling as the action on the pitch.
