By: Kwame Bediako
Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren has earned a nomination for the prestigious Women’s Coach of the Year award ahead of the 2025 CAF Awards.
The Swedish coach, who took charge of Ghana’s senior women’s national team early this year, guided the Black Queens to a commendable bronze medal finish at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
This impressive achievement has been a key factor in his nomination for the top coaching honor. Under Bjorkegren’s leadership, the Black Queens quickly rose to become one of Africa’s strongest contenders.
Despite being a relatively new coach for the team, his tactical acumen helped Ghana reach the semifinals of the tournament, only falling short of a final berth after a tense penalty shootout.
This remarkable turnaround impressed many and underscored his impact on the squad’s performance. Bjorkegren faces stiff competition from a range of top African coaches for the award.
Notable contenders include Nigerian coaches Justine Madugu, who won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with her team, and Bankole Olowookore.
Other nominees are Morocco’s Jorge Vilda, South Africa’s Desiree Ellis, Ivory Coast’s Adelaide Koudougnon, Zambia’s Karol Kayemba, ASEC Mimosa’s Siaka Traore, TP Mazembe’s Lamia Boumehdi, and Genoveva Anonma representing 15 de Agosto.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will announce the official shortlist and the date of the awards ceremony in the coming weeks.
The award is highly anticipated as it celebrates excellence in women’s football coaching across the continent and recognizes those who have notably contributed to the sport’s growth.
Meanwhile, Bjorkegren has issued the roster for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Black Queens are scheduled to face Egypt next week in a crucial fixture as they aim to advance in the continental tournament.
The upcoming matches represent another important chapter as Bjorkegren continues to build and inspire Ghana’s women’s national team.
