Published: July 30, 2025
MONROVIA – Zambian coach Florence Mwila is setting her sights on leading the Copper Queens, Zambia’s senior women’s national football team, after completing the Confederation of African Football (CAF) A Coaching Diploma course in Liberia.
Mwila, who is pregnant, made four trips between Zambia and Liberia over an eight-month period to attend the course, which was hosted by the Liberia Football Association (LFA) under CAF’s Coaching Convention. The program consisted of four 10-day modules. She personally covered all expenses, including airfare, lodging, and meals.
“It was a difficult journey, but I am happy that we completed it,” Mwila told The Liberian Investigator. “I am confident I will pass and obtain my A License.”
The CAF A License is the second-highest coaching qualification under CAF’s framework, behind only the Pro License. It certifies that a coach meets the required standards to manage teams at elite levels across the continent.
Mwila believes the credential brings her a step closer to her dream job—head coach of the Copper Queens. The team is currently managed by Swiss coach Nora Häuptle and finished fourth at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
“I want to continue growing and, one day, coach the national team,” Mwila said. “I’ve already led it at the regional level, but my goal is to become head coach.”
Mwila made history in November 2024 as the first female Zambian coach to win an international title, guiding Zambia to victory in the COSAFA Women’s Championship. Serving as interim coach, she led the team past South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in a penalty shootout after head coach Bruce Mwape was excused from the tournament.
Beyond Zambia, Mwila is open to opportunities abroad and is determined to leave her mark in a coaching field still largely dominated by men.
A total of 15 coaches completed the CAF A Diploma course in Liberia, including three Gambians: Tapha Manneh, manager of Liberian First Division club LISCR FC; Ebrima Jatta, head coach of Real de Banjul; and Yahya Manneh, head coach of Gambia’s U-17 men’s national team.
It marked the first time in a decade that Liberia met CAF’s criteria to host the advanced course. LFA President Mustapha Raji congratulated the graduates and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to developing technical capacity across Liberian football.
“We remain committed to building more capacity and bringing innovation—not only in football coaching but also in sports medicine and referee development,” Raji said. “This will create a better job market for everyone in our football sector.”
Course lead instructor Abraham Kebede, who also heads Liberia’s women’s national team, praised the LFA Executive Committee and technical staff for their support.
“Let us be coaches of purpose, leaders of character, and builders of hope for the future of African football,” Kebede told the graduates at the closing ceremony.
The course covered key areas such as coaching methodology, game model design, training periodization, match analysis, team management, leadership, communication, and media engagement. Each participant received a certificate of participation while awaiting CAF’s final assessment and issuance of licenses.
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