CAF awards 2025: Bubista wins Africa’s Coach of the Year award

Cape Verde national team head coach Bubista has been named the 2025 CAF Coach of the Year, after leading his country to historic achievements on the international stage. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the award during its annual ceremony in Rabat, Morocco.

Bubista beat competition from two Moroccan managers:

• Walid Regragui, head coach of the Moroccan senior national team

• Mohamed Wahbi, coach of Morocco’s U20 national team and winner of the U-20 FIFA World Cup

The Cape Verdean coach’s success comes after guiding his national team to a landmark accomplishment: qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.

Cape Verde topped Group D of the African World Cup qualifiers with 23 points, finishing ahead of Cameroon, who came second with 19 points.

Bubista’s Coach of the Year award recognizes his role in transforming Cape Verde into one of Africa’s emerging football forces, marking a milestone in the nation’s sporting history.

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