Yaya Touré has written his name into UEFA Champions League history after becoming the first African head coach to guide a club into the competition’s league phase.
The Ivorian achieved the landmark feat on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, as his Slovan Bratislava side defeated Slovenian champions NK Celje 2-1 after extra time, completing a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Slovan had drawn the first leg 1-1 in Bratislava, leaving Touré’s side needing a result in Slovenia to reach the main stage.
Andraz Sporar gave Slovan the lead in the 18th minute, but Svit Seslar levelled from the penalty spot before half-time. With neither side able to find a winner during normal time, the tie went into extra time.
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Cristian Martínez eventually delivered the decisive moment in the 100th minute, sending Slovan through and sparking wild celebrations.
The achievement marks another significant step in Touré’s fledgling coaching career. The 43-year-old took charge of Slovan in June 2026 and has remained unbeaten since his appointment, with eight wins and two draws from his first 10 matches.
Touré’s achievement also surpasses the milestone previously reached by Nigerian coach Ndubuisi Egbo, who in 2020 became the first African to manage a club in the Champions League. Egbo led Albania’s KF Tirana through qualifying but did not reach the league phase.
🇬🇭 Yaya Touré. Historic. pic.twitter.com/MJ46yg4epv
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