Trailblazers of the Touchline: Thina, Lamia, and Mbayang Drive African Women’s Football to New Heights
As the CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024 unfolds, three remarkable women head coaches are making waves, not only for their tactical expertise but for their inspiring journeys to the top of African football. Thinasonke "Thina" Mbuli, Lamia Boumedhi, and Mbayang Thiam have transformed their lives through the beautiful game, and now, they’re empowering their teams to rise above challenges on the grandest stage. Their stories embody resilience, vision, and a deep passion for women’s football in Africa.
Thinasonke "Thina" Mbuli (South Africa) – Head Coach, University of the Western Cape
Thina Mbuli, affectionately known as "Thina," began her journey in sports at the grassroots level. A true product of university sports in South Africa, she began her coaching career in 2008, honing her skills and passion for the game. Today, she stands as the head coach of the University of the Western Cape’s women’s team and assistant coach of Banyana Banyana since 2017.
‘’If we believe in whatever we are doing, we can conquer anything,’’ says Thina. ‘’No matter what people say, if you believe in your goals, you are obviously going to work towards them. It’s all about working hard, nothing else. Football in Africa is still male-dominated, so as women, coaches must still prove that we are capable or cool enough to coach.’’
Under her guidance, the University of the Western Cape team has consistently outperformed expectations, becoming a force in women’s football in South Africa.
Thina’s approach combines strategy with empathy, an essential element she learned from her time with the national team close to Desiree Ellis. “As a coach, it's important to balance the player-coach relationship. Sometimes players struggle to differentiate between work and friendly times. My team, having been together for a while, understands that off the field, we can be friends, but when it's time to work, we focus. I switch to a different mode during work, and even the coaching staff knows this change,” she adds.
Her players have often credited Thina for instilling a sense of unity and purpose that fuels their performances on and off the pitch.
Mbayang Thiam (Senegal) – Head Coach, Aigles de la Medina
Mbayang Thiam’s journey from player to coach is one of passion and resilience. Having played at the national level herself, Mbayang made a seamless transition into coaching and has led Senegal’s Aigles de la Medina to qualify for the West African Football Union (WAFU) A Qualifiers, a testament to her leadership and tactical acumen.
“Initially, I had no ambition to become a football coach,” Mbayang says. ‘’However, as I watched a model coach looking after us, I thought that we girls could also take up this challenge. He was exhausted by his many responsibilities and, faced with constant problems and a lack of resources, I decided to become a coach. I've never looked back.” Her players describe her as a disciplined and motivating figure who brings out the best in them. Mbayang’s coaching has been a game-changer for Senegalese women’s football, as she fosters both personal growth and competitive spirit within her squad.
When asked about her goals, Mbayang doesn’t hesitate. “My dream is to see my players succeed, to witness their joy when they reach a new milestone. It’s about building a legacy, not just a winning record.” And to those who wish to follow a career in coaching, she adds, ‘’I'm going to start by encouraging them because it's not easy, but you have to believe and persevere. It's the ideal time, with so many opportunities for women coaches. They have a good understanding of the players' abilities and the psychology of the sport. They can bring a lot to the table by being a coach, a mother and a big sister all at the same time, thereby contributing to players' professional careers.’’
Lamia Boumedhi (Morocco) – Head Coach, TP Mazembe Ladies
A celebrated former captain of the Atlas Lionesses, Lamia Boumedhi’s journey into coaching has been a groundbreaking one. After serving as head coach of Morocco’s U17 Women’s Team, she took on the unique challenge of leading the DR Congo’s TP Mazembe Ladies. Her journey is marked by both her success as a player and her commitment to pushing boundaries as a coach.
‘’I've always loved football. In our day, football wasn't as professional. We played for fun. But at 26, after a serious cruciate ligament injury, the doctor told me I couldn't play any more. I couldn't accept that because I love football so much. So I decided to stay on the pitch, but as a coach. Coaching for me is about guiding young talent and giving back to the sport that gave me so much,” says Lamia.
“Now, with TP Mazembe, I’m focused on building a competitive team that reflects the heart of Congolese football. We have done a great deal of work on the ground by creating a sports-study school. The centre is the only one in DR Congo to have a training programme for young players, including different age categories. I'm honoured to be contributing to this project, and I'm looking forward to many more editions to come.” Her players often describe her as a meticulous strategist with an innate ability to empower those around her.
Lamia sees her role as a bridge between nations, cultures, and footballing philosophies. “Coaching in a different country has been a gift,” she says. “It’s shown me the incredible diversity of African football. No matter where we come from, we share a love for the game and a drive to elevate it.”
Leading the Way Forward
For Thina, Mbayang, and Lamia, the CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024 is more than a tournament – it’s a platform to inspire change, to break barriers, and to showcase the strength of African women in football. They are more than coaches; they are role models, guiding the next generation of players and carving out a path for future leaders in women’s football. And with leaders like them on the sidelines, African women’s football definitely has a bright future.