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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially unveiled its Technical Study Group (TSG) for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024, being co-hosted across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
With the eyes of the continent fixed on the pitch, this elite panel will operate behind the scenes, tracking trends, dissecting tactics, and identifying the next generation of African football stars.
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Made up of celebrated coaches, former internationals, technical directors, and player development experts, the TSG is tasked with a critical mission: to translate the action on the field into a lasting legacy off it.
At the heart of the group is Pape Bouna Thiaw, the Senegalese tactician who masterminded his country’s CHAN 2023 triumph in Algeria.
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Under his leadership, Senegal edged the hosts in a tense penalty shootout, with Thiaw earning the Best Coach of the Tournament title, a nod to his tactical maturity and calm under pressure.
A former striker and now one of Africa’s most exciting modern coaches, Thiaw brings a blend of sharp analysis and big-tournament pedigree to the panel. Since being appointed Senegal’s head coach in December 2024, he’s continued to rise, and now returns to CHAN in a new capacity: a technical observer of the competition he once conquered.
His previous work with FIFA’s TSG at the 2022 U-17 World Cup in Indonesia adds global experience to his already impressive résumé.
But Thiaw is far from the only high-profile football brain in the room.
A continental collection of minds
Mark Fish, a 1996 AFCON winner with South Africa, joins the TSG with a unique blend of international experience and leadership acumen. Known for his years at Lazio and Bolton Wanderers, Fish is passionate about youth development and player psychology—two elements crucial to CHAN’s ethos of showcasing local talent.
João Cláudio De Almeida “Miller” Gomes of Angola brings decades of coaching experience across youth and senior levels. Gomes remains one of the continent’s most methodical minds, renowned for his tactical organisation and deep insight into the African football structure.
Kamel Kolsi, a former Tunisian international and youth coach, offers North African sharpness and a proven track record in talent spotting, while Walter Steenbok (South Africa), the former SAFA Technical Director, delivers unmatched expertise in football analysis and player development systems.
ALSO READ: Nigeria’s Ejike Uzoenyi, other legends who defined CHAN tournaments as MVPs
Mohamed Magassouba, with over 30 years in the game, including stints with Mali and DR Congo, adds weight to the TSG’s strategic core. A respected elder statesman, his wisdom and eye for technical evolution are key to the group’s objectives.
They are joined by regional technical experts from East Africa, including:
Oscar Rabson Mirambo (Tanzania)
Abraham Mebratu Gebreslassie (Ethiopia)
Michael Amenga Okoth (Kenya)
Murad Abdulkadir Mahamoud (UK-based, East African heritage)
More than stats: Building the Blueprint for African Football
The TSG’s assignment goes beyond surface-level analysis. Over the course of the month-long tournament, they will compile comprehensive reports on emerging tactical trends, coaching methodologies, and standout player performances.
These insights will not only inform CAF’s technical archives but also serve as vital resources for national federations, clubs, and coaches across Africa.
Using advanced video analysis, in-game data, and on-site scouting, the group’s observations will also be shared in real time with media and technical departments—making CHAN not just a tournament, but a live classroom for African football’s future.
Ground presence: Where the experts will operate
CAF has also strategically assigned the experts across the five tournament venues:
KASARANI (Kenya):
Mohamed Magassouba (Mali)
Kamel Kolsi (Tunisia)
NYAYO (Kenya):
Walter Steenbok (South Africa)
Murad Abdulkadir Mahamoud (UK)
KAMPALA (Uganda):
Oscar Rabson Mirambo (Tanzania)
Abraham Mebratu Gebreslassie (Ethiopia)
BENJAMIN MKAPA (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania):
Pape Bouna Thiaw (Senegal)
Michael Amenga Okoth (Kenya)
AMAAN STADIUM (Zanzibar):
João Cláudio De Almeida Gomes (Angola)
Mark Fish (South Africa)
CHAN’s long game
Since launching in 2009, CHAN has become more than a showcase of domestic league stars; it’s become a technical touchstone for African football development.
The TSG ensures that what happens on the field is recorded, analysed, and refined, providing the building blocks for better coaching, scouting, and player development across the continent.
As CHAN PAMOJA 2024 unfolds in East Africa, these experts won’t just be watching; they’ll be shaping the future of the African game.
