Zimbabwe's long-awaited CAF A coaching course finally begins at ZIFA Village

Zimbabwe’s long-awaited CAF A Licence coaching course began on Tuesday at ZIFA Village, ending a prolonged absence of the advanced coaching programme from the country. The return gives local coaches an opportunity to pursue one of the Confederation of African Football’s higher coaching qualifications.

The course has attracted participants from several levels of Zimbabwean football. TelOne FC coach Joel Luphahla, former Warriors Under-20 coach Simon Marange, CAPS United great David Sengu, Arthur Tutani and Blanket Mine coach Luke Petros Jukulile are among those enrolled.

Tutani brings the record of three Northern Region Soccer League titles to the programme, while the other participants add experience from club football and national-team development. Their presence gives the group a broad mix of coaching backgrounds as the training begins.

Participants will work through an intensive programme covering advanced technical, tactical and leadership areas. The course also creates space for the coaches to share their knowledge and approaches with one another as they develop their qualifications.

The resumption of the CAF A course comes as Zimbabwe seeks to raise coaching standards and improve the structures supporting football development. Completing the programme would strengthen the participants’ credentials and improve their opportunities to work at higher levels of the game.

The course is therefore an important addition to the country’s coaching pathway after a lengthy gap. Its broader value will depend on helping Zimbabwe build a larger group of qualified coaches with the expertise required across the domestic game.