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Lamia Boumehdi, the Moroccan tactician behind TP Mazembe’s historic CAF Women’s Champions League victory, is riding the wave of her groundbreaking achievements.
Named CAF Women’s Coach of the Year for 2024, Boumehdi has not only placed herself at the pinnacle of African football coaching but also spotlighted the untapped potential of women’s football in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
For TP Mazembe fans, the past year and a half will forever be etched in the club’s storied history, thanks to the remarkable achievements of their women’s team.
The absence of a continental final for the men’s side in the last six years has been a notable void, but the Ladies Crows’ groundbreaking continental success – a first for the DRC – has more than made up for it.
For Coach Boumedhi, this year will undoubtedly be one for the books, given the enormity of her accomplishments in such a short span. Despite her triumphs in Lubumbashi, Boumedhi remains open to exploring other opportunities, leaving the door ajar for potential future endeavors.
Open to opportunities
At 41, Lamia Boumedhi is pragmatic about her future. While focused on the next chapter with TP Mazembe’s Ladies Crows, she’s open to potential opportunities with other top clubs on the continent or beyond. Her recent successes – the CAF Women’s Champions League trophy and CAF Women’s Coach of the Year award – are enough magnets to make her an attractive prospect for suitors.
“I’m taking some time to relax after a busy period, thinking about what’s next. For now, my focus is on TP Mazembe, but as a coach, I have to stay open to other opportunities. The environment here is wonderful, and I feel it’s conducive to success. I’m not at liberty to disclose whether I’ve been approached by other teams or not. My priority remains my girls and how to bring out the best in them when the new season begins,” explains Lamia Boumedhi, a former Moroccan national team player in an interview with journalist Victor Kwawu.
‘I dedicate my CAF award to the team’
For a country like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where women’s football is finally gaining momentum, Lamia Boumedhi and the Ladies Crows deserve all the accolades.
To prepare for the CAF Women’s Champions League, the team supplemented their training with friendly matches during the league’s break. However, they faced a significant challenge: the disparity in quality between local opposition and top-tier clubs like ASFAR.
Nevertheless, Boumedhi masterminded a historic victory, becoming the first woman to win the CAF Women’s Champions League. This remarkable achievement earned her the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year award, a testament to her exceptional leadership and coaching prowess.
“I’m happy and proud to win the trophy for Best Women’s Football Coach in Africa. I’d like to thank President Moise Katumbi and Mrs. Denise for believing in me. A big thank you also goes to my players, who were extremely professional throughout,” said the former Wydad AC coach.
“I must also acknowledge the hard work of our staff and managers, who put in tremendous effort. As the only team from our country participating in the Champions League, and with our domestic championship yet to start, staying fit was a challenge. However, we prepared with friendly matches against boys’ teams to simulate the rhythm and intensity of competitive matches,” she explained.
TP Mazembe has shown the way for DRC to follow
“When we won the CAF Champions Trophy, the entire country was so proud. That’s the first step to building the game in the country, and at least there’s something to take inspiration from.
“I hope that these two trophies that Mazembe won will be a win for Congo, and I hope it will be a starting point to develop women’s football, because the country is full of talents. They just need to be well-framed and guided, and I hope that they will be a source of motivation for all young Congolese players and all Congolese coaches.
“I think South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana, and others have shown how it can be done. We need good conditions for our leagues, international tournaments for all categories, and training for more female coaches,” she emphasizes.
“I think these are the secrets. If they pay attention to it, I’m confident it will even affect the national team, and that’s what every football-loving fan in the DRC is expecting. It’s possible if everyone supports,” the CAF Coach of the Year remarked.
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