Yaya Touré becomes first African coach to reach Champions League league phase

Ivorian ex-international  Yaya Touré has become the first African manager to lead a club into the UEFA Champions League league phase after guiding Slovan Bratislava through four qualifying rounds.

Touré completed the historic feat on Wednesday after Slovan Bratislava defeated Slovenian side Celje 2-1 after extra time to secure a 3-2 aggregate victory in their play-off tie.

The result booked Slovan a place in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase and gave Touré a landmark achievement in his first senior managerial appointment.

Slovan remained unbeaten throughout their Champions League qualifying campaign, recording four wins and two draws on their way to the league phase.

Cristian Martínez scored the decisive goal in the 100th minute after the tie remained level at the end of normal time. The victory completed Slovan’s progression after the club had overcome Iberia 1999, Swedish side Mjällby and Celje during the qualifying campaign.

Touré was appointed Slovan Bratislava head coach in June 2026 after previously working in assistant coaching roles in Europe. His immediate success has now placed him in African football history.