In search of a seat at the table: The tenacious tale of Touré

CAF

4 days ago

Clémentine Touré has lived a life shaped by football – from her early days playing in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana to coaching on some of Africa's biggest stages. Touré speaks of football – as if she's discussing a sacred covenant rather than a sport.
"Football is my life, and it's given me so much. I've been playing football from childhood and I've worked hard to become a coach and develop my skills. Without football, I don't know what I would be doing. It's my passion, and I love it."
These aren't merely words – they're the breathing manifesto of a soul intertwined with the beautiful game.
In Morocco's coaching academies, where the future of African football is being forged, Touré stands as both student and pioneer. Her pursuit of the CAF Pro license isn't just professional development - it's a statement of intent, a declaration that excellence knows no gender.
"I've been fortunate to have had many opportunities, and I'm grateful for that. I'm currently working on my CAF Pro License in Morocco, and I'm proud to be one of the few women in Africa pursuing this certification."
The weight of those words carries the dreams of countless women across the continent. In a world where barriers are erected as quickly as they're torn down, she moves with the quiet confidence of someone who understands that revolution often begins with education.
Equatorial Guinea. A nation's footballing virginity lost in the most spectacular fashion possible. When Touré lifted that WAFCON trophy, she wasn't just celebrating a victory – she was announcing the arrival of a new era.
"My most memorable moment was winning the African Cup of Nations with Equatorial Guinea in 2008," Touré recalls, her voice carrying the warmth of that historic moment. "Going to a country, working hard, and winning—it's what every coach dreams of. That moment was unique and special. It was incredible for Equatorial Guinea.
"We were just starting out, and to win that tournament showed that our efforts paid off. It was a dream come true for the players, for me, and for the country."
Even her later achievements – guiding Côte d'Ivoire to WAFCON appearances and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup – seem to pale in the shadow of that golden moment. Some victories, it seems, are too perfect to repeat.
But Touré's canvas extends far beyond personal glory. She paints with broader strokes now, her frustrations informed by a continental perspective that sees both the potential and the waste.
"I'm not satisfied with just participating in competitions. Every national team's dream is to reach the final stages of the Africa Cup of Nations, where you can truly measure your level. Not qualifying is painful and leaves a bitter taste."
Her critique cuts deep because it comes from love – the love of someone who has seen what's possible when commitment meets opportunity.
"African countries and federations need to prioritize women's football and provide genuine support. Some countries claim to support women's football but don't support always. We need to move beyond this and follow the CAF's lead in promoting women's football."
Touré's vision for African women's football reads like a master architect's blueprint – detailed, comprehensive, and built on foundations that can weather any storm.
"This means supporting women's football at all levels, starting with clubs and helping them organize themselves. Clubs have valuable experience with players, so we need to assist and empower them. Regular championships should be organized, and players should be given the recognition they deserve. National teams also need to play more friendly matches to assess their level and prepare for competitions. As coaches, we've struggled to arrange even a single friendly match in two years, which makes it challenging to evaluate our players' true potential."
Her appeal resonates with the urgency of someone who understands that time is both ally and enemy. "That's my advice to all federations, and I hope they'll take it seriously."
Now, as she stands at another crossroads, Touré's gaze turns toward an even bolder horizon – coaching a men's national team. It's a dream that would have seemed impossible to that young girl on those dusty pitches yet feels inevitable for the woman she has become.
"I believe it's possible," she declares with the confidence of someone who has already rewritten the rules once. "I'm sharing my dream with you – my goal is to coach a men's team one day. Why not? If we can train coaches and develop the game, why can't women also lead men's teams?'
For her, the shift is already underway.
'It's the same sport. Women can succeed at the highest level too. We have the knowledge, the experience, and the confidence. What we need now is trust. When that happens, women will rise to the challenge and deliver."
With a proven track record and a bold vision, Clémentine Touré continues to break ground in African football. And if her journey so far is anything to go by, her next historic milestone might be just around the corner.
"Overall, I'm proud to be part of the football community, and I'm excited to see how sports will continue to grow and develop in Africa."
In these words, lies perhaps the truest measure of Clémentine Touré – not as someone who conquered the game, but as someone who surrendered to it completely, allowing it to transform her into something larger than herself. She has become both the bridge and the destination, the question and the answer to what African football can become when it dares to dream without limits.
Her story continues to unfold, each chapter more audacious than the last. And if her journey so far has taught us anything, it's that the most beautiful dreams are often the ones that seem impossible – until they're not.