London, Dec. 28, 2019 (AltAfrica)-Victoria Conteh, a Caf ‘A’ licensed female coach in Sierra Leone, has become the second female coach in Africa to manage a top-flight football team

Victoria Conteh follows the footstep of Meseret Manni of Ethiopia who made history in 2015 when she was appointed to manage Dire Dawa of Ethiopia

Related: Meseret Manni makes history in Ethiopian football

Aside becoming Africa’s second female coach to handle a premier league club, Victoria Conteh is Sierra Leone’s first woman to coach a top tier men’s team

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Nicknamed “D’cox”, Victoria doubles as a CAF Instructor in addition to being the only CAF Licensed ‘A’ female coach in Sierra Leone.

Victoria Conteh signed a two-year contract to manage East End Tigers, who play in the Sierra Leone Premier League. 

“We’ve decided to appoint her because she’s qualified and that’s the bottom line,” East End Tigers’ owner Victor Lewis told BBC Sport.

“It shouldn’t be a man or woman thing; it should be about who is qualified to do the job.

“We’re happy to secure her services and we believe her appointment is good for the women’s game.

“She has a two-year mandate and we’ve given her the target to finish in the top four and we are very confident that she can deliver.”

Conteh’s first game in charge was against favorites FC Kallon on Saturday, December 21. She guided Tigers to come back for a 1-1 draw and maintain their record of having never lost a game to Kallon in the league.

Not new to the men’s game, Conteh is a former Sierra Leone International and Captain of East End Lioness. She also served as Head coach of both Sierra Leone’s U-17 Women’s team and Sierra Leone Police Women’s team, reports Cafonline

Since her days as a member of technical staff of FC Johansen, she has acquired a wealth of coaching experience from Leone star’s current Head coach Sellas Teteh Teivi and his Assistant John Kiester.

“My success in football, as a female coach in a male-dominated sport has however been linked to my passion and knowledge gained over the years. I’m super energized now than ever and very much determined to bring more laurels to my new club throughout my 24-month contract”, she said during her unveiling.

Conteh further noted in a BBC Sport interview that: “I’m happy and proud about the appointment and I welcome it with open hands. 

“This is a surprise Christmas package for me because I wasn’t expecting it.

“I know it’s not easy for a woman to serve as coach in the top flight in Sierra Leone but I’ll cope with the pressure and I’m determined to do well.”

East End Tigers have never won a Premier Division title in their history, but Conteh wants to change that.

“My target is to make history by becoming the first woman coach to win the top-flight. I’m determined to do what some of the men coaches can’t do.

“I know it’ll not be easy, but I have confidence that I’ll deliver. I have what it takes to do that,” she said.

If Conteh succeeds, she will be following the footsteps of Chan Yuen-Ting who is the only female coach to have won a top-flight title when she won the Hong Kong Premier League with Eastern in 2016.

“I hope this will be my stepping stone to a higher height,” she said.

“I hope to continue coaching in the top flight and my dream is to one day coach the Sierra Leone men’s senior national team Leone Stars.”

East End Tigers currently sit fifth on the Sierra Leone Premier League table.