The annual FIFA The Best award ceremony to recognize the best male and female footballers, coaches etc, is before us. Again the ‘Africans in Africa’ community have been left behind, with a common example of Morocco Men’s National team coach, Walid Regragui.
A three-man finalist of Carlo Ancelotti, Lionel Sconali and Pep Guardiola were shortlisted for The Best FIFA Men coach, leaving behind Walid Regragui whose 2022 portfolio matches or even surpass some of the three finalist. Or maybe he’s an African in Africa.
Carlo Ancelotti
Real Madrid Carlo Ancelotti was truly the best manager out of Europe in 2022. Picking up Real Madrid mid season and going on to win the Spanish La Liga and the UEFA Champions League with them. Notwithstanding his team not being regarded as up-to the task. Defeating some of Europe biggest and most inform team’s to his UEFA triumph.
Lionel Scolani
Argentina Men National team coach, Lionel Scolani had a run of perfect managerial year from 2021. Winning the Copa America with Argentina fir the first time since 1993. Lionel Scolani Argentina team defeated Italy 3-0 in the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions between winners of the South American Championship and European Championship, also known as ‘Finalissima.’
Rounding this up with a World Cup win shows how deserving Lionel Scolani is to be on the list.
Pep Guardiola
Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola won the English Premier for a record four times in 2022. He also guided his team till they fell short to Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals.
Walid Regragui
Walid Regragui shone the brightest amongst coaches in Africa and was the most talked about manager at the 2022 World Cup, only behind Argentina’s Lionel Scolani.
For the first time in the history of the World Cup, an African team made it to the semifinal of World Cup. Coping seven points from the possible nine in the group stage, include a win over Belgium. His Morocco team eliminated Spain from the round-of-sixteen and favorites, Portugal from the quarter finals. Having the record breaking run end against France in the semifinals.
Alongside his incredible feet at the World Cup, Walid Regragui had won the CAF Champions League with his former Moroccan club side, Wydad Casablanca and played in the CAF Super Cup final.
https://twitter.com/UsherKomugisha/status/1623724717990453249?s=20&t=RelSHXJEEE77AZgTwHjvTw
The additions of all these international and world achievements, makes Walid Regragui one of the best football managers in 2022 and deserving to at least be in the 3-man shortlist even if he doesn’t get to win.
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However, the run of neglect on African football by FIFA has been on. Giving priorities to Europe and America while treating Africa as small. On a super rare occasion would one see an African playing or managing in Africa being rated by FIFA or invited for a FIFA themed occasion.
Walid Regragui snub only prove the slavery of Africans in Africa continues, as Africans in Europe begins to get accolades.
