By: Refilwe Sebola
The South African Football Association (SAFA) in Mopani says coaches without the CAF/SAFA D license Coaching certificate won’t be allowed to coach in the SAB league in the new season.
This was confirmed by Regional President Vincent Ramphao. Ramphao said their region has over the years invested in the development of coaches and it was now time to give those coaches an opportunity to work.
“We have produced 480 qualified CAF D licence coaches, 75 C-license coaches and 5 B-license holders over the past few years in our region. Therefore, we believe it is about time those coaches are given an opportunity to utilize their skills” he said.
However, the decision seems to have triggered mixed reactions from the fans, the coaches and team owners. “SAFA must also give the clubs grants to be able to pay those coaches” reacted Sammy Letsoalo on our Facebook page.
Nkona Bongani wrote “This is a good move for development and job creation. If our local coaches get those qualifications they stand a chance to get employment from professional soccer teams. Let’s encourage our coaches to get those licenses”.
Team owners however expressed their concern over the lack of availability of coaching courses. “We are still waiting for SAFA to invite our coaches to the coaching courses because we don’t know of the whereabouts of the coaches they have already trained in the past” said one of the SAB league club owners. One of the qualified coaches Tshepo Sebopetsa said he wouldn’t mind the opportunity to coach as long as teams are willing to pay.