Nívia de Lima makes history as first female assistant coach

Brazilian coach Nívia de Lima has etched her name into the history books after becoming the first female assistant coach to appear on the bench in Brazil’s top-flight men’s league during a match between Chapecoense and Esporte Clube Vitória on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

Her presence on the touchline marked a significant milestone for women in men’s football in Brazil, a country where the sport has traditionally been dominated by male coaches.

Nívia’s journey to that historic moment has been more than a decade in the making. She joined Chapecoense in 2012 after beginning her coaching career at grassroots football schools following her retirement from futsal.

Over the years, she steadily rose through the club’s youth development ranks, gaining recognition for her work with young players.

FACT CHECK: How many Champions League titles does Lionel Messi have?

Her first major coaching breakthrough came in the youth setup, where she led Chapecoense’s under-15 team to several successes, including winning the Campeonato Catarinense and the Santa Catarina Cup, while also finishing as runner-up in the Brazil Youth Cup.

In 2020, Nívia took charge of the club’s under-17 side, further cementing her reputation as one of the most respected youth coaches in the region. Her progress continued when she was promoted to lead the club’s under-20 team, making her one of the few women in Brazil to manage a men’s youth team at that level.

Earlier in 2025, she added another milestone to her career by becoming the first female coach to win a match in the prestigious Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, commonly known as the “Copinha”, one of Brazil’s most important youth tournaments.

FKA/BAI

Meanwhile, watch videos of Ghanaian boxers training ahead of Legacy Rise Sports’ Fightcard.

Click here to read article