All is set for the African Football Convention, scheduled to hold from January 5 to 9, 2026, in Casablanca, Morocco. The five-day convention is organized by African Coaches Connect and is expected to attract coaches, technical directors, administrators, and football stakeholders from across the continent.

 

The convention is designed as a knowledge-sharing and capacity-building platform, with a strong emphasis on sustainable football development, inclusive leadership, innovation, and high-performance systems.

 

A rich lineup of speakers has been assembled, bringing diverse expertise that cuts across coaching education, governance, law, inclusivity, and performance psychology.

 

Renowned coach and ambassador, Henry Abiodun, will headline a session focused on football training foundations. Drawing from nearly four decades of experience in coaching, management, and education, Abiodun will break down the core components of football training, from structure and planning to execution. His presentation will stress that sustainable football development goes beyond passion and must be anchored in intentional methodology, making the session essential for coaches, technical directors, and football administrators working across grassroots and elite environments.

 

Legal and commercial perspectives will be provided by Peter Mshikilwa, a tax, investment, and sports lawyer, as well as a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) arbitrator. Mshikilwa will speak on the intersection of esports and traditional football, examining emerging growth opportunities, regulatory challenges, investment trends, and the legal frameworks shaping the future of the global game.

 

Inclusivity will take centre stage in a session led by Patricia Owomugisha, who will address African women and inclusivity in sports. Leveraging her experience in football development, league coordination, and sports event management across Africa, Owomugisha will highlight the role of governance, participation pathways, and professional structures in empowering women and strengthening the African sports ecosystem.

 

High-performance football will also be examined from a psychological perspective by Nick Atzeni. His session will focus on emotional intelligence, psycho-socio-emotional dynamics, and EQ analysis, offering practical frameworks to help individuals and teams improve awareness, emotional regulation, and collaboration in high-pressure environments.

 

With its blend of technical, legal, inclusive, and performance-focused discussions, the African Football Convention in Casablanca is positioned as a key platform for advancing structured, intentional, and sustainable football development across Africa.