Exclusive: Trailblazer Lamia Boumehdi Reflects on Becoming the First Woman to Win CAF Women’s Champions League

Lamia Boumehdi has made history as the first woman to win the CAF Women’s Champions League, steering TP Mazembe to an inspiring victory in her country home.

At 41 years old, the Moroccan football trailblazer’s story is one of resilience, strategy, and a commitment to advancing women’s football in Africa.

Boumehdi: From Player to Pioneer

Boumehdi’s journey into football is nothing short of remarkable. Once considered the youngest player to represent the Morocco women’s national team at just 16 years old, the former Morocco international forward enjoyed a successful playing career with clubs like FC Berrechid in Morocco and Sadaja in Lebanon.

Unfortunately, a severe knee injury ended her playing days prematurely at 26, but Boumehdi refused to leave the sport she loved.

“After a rich career as an international player, I decided to become a coach to stay true to my passion for football,” she explains to SportsBoom.com.

She quickly transitioned into coaching, taking on the Morocco U20 women’s team and leading them to a bronze medal at the Morocco 2019 African Games. Her coaching journey wasn’t without challenges.

“My first challenge was the academic training and earning the necessary coaching qualifications. The second was carving out a place for myself in a male-dominated and traditional environment where women in sports are not widely accepted,” she recalls.

The Road to Glory: Strategic Brilliance and Historic Victory

Boumehdi’s appointment at TP Mazembe in 2023 came at a pivotal time for the Congolese club.

After crashing out of the Morocco 2022 CAF Women's Champions League group stage on their debut at the expense of two-time winners Mamelodi Sundowns and Bayelsa Queens, Boumehdi was tasked with elevating the team’s performance.

Despite narrowly missing qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League that year from the UNIFFAC (Central African) region, she guided TP Mazembe to back-to-back DR Congo Women’s Championship titles, setting the stage for their eventual success on the continental stage.

Reflecting on the team’s journey, Boumehdi credited the lessons learned during the group stage, particularly from their loss to Moroccan champions AS FAR, for their final success.

“The group stage, especially the loss to AS FAR, taught me valuable lessons. It allowed me to prepare for the final in the best possible conditions—tactically, technically, physically, and mentally—which required a lot of hard work,” she reveals.

Despite the pressure, her belief in her players never wavered. “I was very confident in my team and our work. My only fear was our lack of realism and efficiency in front of goal, but this is part of football,” she says.

Redefining Success for Women in African Football

Boumehdi’s historic triumph is a landmark moment and beacon of hope for women in African football - is more than a personal accomplishment.

“This victory is a building block in creating a structure where women are recognized for their capabilities and achievements, equal to men,” she asserts.

Having broken barriers herself, Boumehdi hopes her journey inspires others. “In my opinion, yes, and I hope this becomes a model for the success of other women,” she says. To aspiring young girls, her advice is clear: “Work, work, and more work, and resilience in the face of numerous challenges.”

Building the Future of African Women’s Football

Looking to the future, Boumehdi has her sights set on continuing her coaching career while contributing to the growth of women’s football in Africa.

“We need viable conditions for national championships, international CAF competitions for all categories, and training for more female coaches,” she emphasizes.

She also points to Morocco as a model for success, hosting the CAF Women's African Cup of Nations and CAF Women's Champions League.

“Morocco has made real investments in women’s football across all categories. They’ve professionalized the women’s league and focused on training coaches. It’s a blueprint for success,” she recounts.

The Team Behind the Triumph

The Congolese giants began their title-winning journey with a dominant 2-0 victory over the University of the Western Cape Ladies. However, they then suffered a 3-1 defeat to the hosts and finalists AS FAR after relinquishing a one-goal lead.

They quickly recovered, securing a convincing 4-0 win over Aigles de la Medina to seal their place in the semi-finals, where they made a dramatic comeback to beat Edo Queens 3-1 in extra time.

On conquering 2022 winners and three-time finalists AS FAR 1-0, Boumehdi attributes the historic win to her players’ discipline and focus, as well as the support of her staff.

“The discipline and focus of the players were extremely important to me, the staff, and the success of the project,” she acknowledges. In high-pressure moments, her priority was maintaining tactical aggressiveness.

“We concentrated on executing tactical instructions and maintaining tactical aggressiveness,” she explains.

A Symbol of Progress and Legacy of Excellence

With her groundbreaking achievements, Boumehdi is also a top contender for the 2024 CAF Women’s Coach of the Year award. Reacting to her nomination, she says, “On behalf of all women, I am very proud.”

Boumehdi’s remarkable journey, from her early days as a teenage international player to her historic triumph as a coach, is an inspiration for women in football across Africa.

Her story transcends trophies and stands as a testament to the power of resilience and determination, paving the way for a new generation of women to dream bigger and aim higher.