UCL: Yaya Toure Becomes First African Coach to Qualify Team for League Phase
Cristian Martínez scored in the 100th minute as Slovan Bratislava won 3-2 on aggregate and reached the Champions League group stage.
- On Wednesday, Yaya Tour led Slovan Bratislava to the UEFA Champions League group stage after a 2-1 extra-time win over Celje in the qualifying final.
- Appointed in July on a three-year contract, the 43-year-old Tour brought managerial experience following a storied playing career with Barcelona and Manchester City.
- Andra put Tour's team ahead in the 18th minute, before Celje equalized through a penalty from Svit; Cristian Mart scored the winner in the 100th minute.
- Tour became the first African manager to lead a club to the UEFA Champions League group stage, surpassing Nigerian coach Ndubuisi Egbo's prior attempt with Tirana.
- Slovan Bratislava will learn their group stage opponents on Thursday, joining 36 teams in the UEFA Champions League draw following their qualification.
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Yaya Touré makes history as first African manager in UCL group stage
Touré, who is in his first top-level managerial role, surpassed the achievement of Ndubuisi Egbo, the Nigerian coach who led FK Tirana of Albania to UCL qualification but failed to progress beyond the qualifying stage in 2020.
Coach Yaya Toure is off to an ideal start, something like his breakout at Olympiacos when he was a footballer – In June he took over Slovan Bratislava, in August he put them in the league phase of the Champions League and has already recorded an incredible record. The post Yaya Toure: A… leap from Bratislava (vids) appeared first on in.gr.
Darren O’Dea heading for Champions League after Celtic departure
5:30 PM Aug 27, 2026: Former Celtic coach Darren O’Dea will be involved in the Champions League proper this season after Slovan Bratislava secured their place in the competition. The Slovakian champions booked their ticket after overcoming Celje in a dramatic play-off tie on Wednesday, with O’Dea part of Yaya Toure’s coaching staff. Following a 1-1 draw in the first...
Yaya Touré Makes African Football History as First African Coach to Lead Club Into Champions League League Phase - The Zimbabwe Mail Yaya Touré Makes African Football History as First African Coach to Lead Club Into Champions League League Phase
LONDON — Yaya Touré has written his name into European football history, becoming the first African head coach to guide a club through the qualifying rounds and into the UEFA Champions League league phase. The Ivorian achieved the landmark feat with Slovak champions Slovan Bratislava, who defeated Slovenia’s NK Celje 2-1 after extra time on Wednesday to complete a 3-2 aggregate victory. Cristian Martínez struck the decisive goal in the 100th min…
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