Opinion / Columnist
Highlanders FC lucky to have landed Mafu
11 Jan 2015 at 10:46hrs | Views
RECENTLY Zifa technical director Takaendesa Jongwe appeared to have opened a Pandora's box when he "disclosed" that the Caf A coaching badge was the minimum qualification for those aspiring to sit on the bench as coaches in the forthcoming Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
Before that, we can recall that prior to the 2014 league season ZIFA had come up with regulations that only coaches in possession of at least a Level Four qualification or a Caf B coaching licence would be allowed to coach in the PSL.
They went on to say that for the Zifa regional division one leagues, only those coaches with a minimum of a Level Three or a Caf C Licence coaching badge would be eligible to manage at that level.
And for the Zifa provincial league involving Division Two and Three clubs, only coaches in possession of at least a Level Two and Level One certificate were eligible.
The regulations also went on to stipulate that only coaches in possession of at least a Level One or Youth Coaching certificates will preside over primary, secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions.
In this now confused football landscape in the country, no pun intended, there was also a time when it was resolved that only coaches with a Level Four certificate were eligible to conduct their duties in the Premiership.
And as a dire consequence of such a decision some aspiring coaches with the aid of unscrupulous officials went on a spree to acquire such qualifications, through hook and crook.
Some coaches without even a single Level One, Two or Three were allowed to sit for the Level Four certificates. The anomaly was raised by the media, and if any action was taken, then it remains a closely guarded secret amongst the coaches association led by a certain Bhekimpilo Nyoni.
Talking of the issues of one attaining a coaching certificate.
It is an open secret that a lot of teachers, because of the opportunities available to them by being in that profession, have gone on to acquire those coaching certificates, qualifications, or badges, whetever one wants to call them.
And if they become highly qualified through the acquisition of such high qualifications, what can stop them from coaching even some of our Premier Soccer League teams. Someone might say it goes with the territory, and one should shut up.
One such teacher was in charge of our youthful team at the recently concluded African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth games, and guess what? Many couldn't even tell what formation his side was using, and at times, players who were playing well were surprisingly substituted. Yes he couldn't be a match to such guys like that veteran of Zambian soccer George Lwandamina, who was in charge of eventual winners, Zambia.
The long and short of it!
Coaches, before they even dream of coaching Premiership sides, should be sent on attachment, at teams under experienced coaches for the practical aspect of that profession. That is vital. Paper qualifications should not be the only yardstick for success.
Talking of paper qualifications, newly appointed Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu boasts of the impressive UEFA B licence attained in Europe.
In that part of the world the different levels of qualifications for football coaches, their order, are:
Level One, Level Two (Certificate in Coaching Football), Level Three (UEFA B Licence), Level Four (UEFA A Licence) and Level Five which is the UEFA Pro Licence.
Individuals have two years in which to complete the Uefa "B" Licence course but in reality it can be done within 12 to 18 months, taking in roughly 120 hours of work, often with a county FA. The course participants deal with development of possession and movement to create space and other tactical issues.
There is also a lot of theory: football, food and fitness, injury identification, sports psychology and player analysis. The participants also take observed coaching sessions.
In the professional league, coaches are expected to have at least the "B" licence.
For many coaches completion of the Level Two course will provide all the skills required to coach at a community level. However, for coaches wishing to coach at the highest level of the game the Level Three - UEFA B Licence - represents the next step.
Individuals with a Level Three qualification, like our own Mafu, are able to find work at Centres of Excellence and Academies. That is a plus, perhaps, for Highlanders as they bid to revive their once vibrant junior policy.
But for individuals who wish to work as either managers or coaches in the professional game, or as youth academy managers a level four - UEFA A Licence - qualification is necessary. And this, we understand takes a full two years to complete.
For coaches wishing to continue their progression to being able to coach at the highest level of the professional game obtaining the Level Five - UEFA Pro Licence - qualification represents the final step. This is a mandatory qualification for managing in the FA Premier League and UEFA competitions.
A course to obtain an UEFA Pro Licence is by invitation only and takes 12 months to complete.
That aside, and as a parting short.
Is it wise for a country to bar its citizens to drive a car in their own country because they are not in possession of a SADC regional driving licence?
Coversely should we bar our own competent citizenry not to coach our own Premier Soccer League clubs because they don't possess a CAF A Licence?
An upsurge in such courses in this country and the exorbitant fees that goes with acquiring such, appears to be raising eyebrows.
Is it all for football development or people making hay while the sun still shines?
We are just being curious; after all they say curiosity killed a cat.
Otherwise we can only demand the proof of having such courses, through the fruits therein.
We are fed up of seeing "qualified" coaches discarding a player today, acquiring the same player barely six months later, and offloading the player again.
Perhaps we need coaches with such qualifications as the UEFA B Licence. And Bosso might be lucky to have stumbled over one.
For feedback:
pmukwazo@yahoo.com, phineas.mukwazo@sundaynews.co.zw, pmukwazo@gmail.com, Whatsapp 0772 682 368 or Face book Phineas Mukwazo.
Before that, we can recall that prior to the 2014 league season ZIFA had come up with regulations that only coaches in possession of at least a Level Four qualification or a Caf B coaching licence would be allowed to coach in the PSL.
They went on to say that for the Zifa regional division one leagues, only those coaches with a minimum of a Level Three or a Caf C Licence coaching badge would be eligible to manage at that level.
And for the Zifa provincial league involving Division Two and Three clubs, only coaches in possession of at least a Level Two and Level One certificate were eligible.
The regulations also went on to stipulate that only coaches in possession of at least a Level One or Youth Coaching certificates will preside over primary, secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions.
In this now confused football landscape in the country, no pun intended, there was also a time when it was resolved that only coaches with a Level Four certificate were eligible to conduct their duties in the Premiership.
And as a dire consequence of such a decision some aspiring coaches with the aid of unscrupulous officials went on a spree to acquire such qualifications, through hook and crook.
Some coaches without even a single Level One, Two or Three were allowed to sit for the Level Four certificates. The anomaly was raised by the media, and if any action was taken, then it remains a closely guarded secret amongst the coaches association led by a certain Bhekimpilo Nyoni.
Talking of the issues of one attaining a coaching certificate.
It is an open secret that a lot of teachers, because of the opportunities available to them by being in that profession, have gone on to acquire those coaching certificates, qualifications, or badges, whetever one wants to call them.
And if they become highly qualified through the acquisition of such high qualifications, what can stop them from coaching even some of our Premier Soccer League teams. Someone might say it goes with the territory, and one should shut up.
One such teacher was in charge of our youthful team at the recently concluded African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth games, and guess what? Many couldn't even tell what formation his side was using, and at times, players who were playing well were surprisingly substituted. Yes he couldn't be a match to such guys like that veteran of Zambian soccer George Lwandamina, who was in charge of eventual winners, Zambia.
The long and short of it!
Coaches, before they even dream of coaching Premiership sides, should be sent on attachment, at teams under experienced coaches for the practical aspect of that profession. That is vital. Paper qualifications should not be the only yardstick for success.
Talking of paper qualifications, newly appointed Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu boasts of the impressive UEFA B licence attained in Europe.
In that part of the world the different levels of qualifications for football coaches, their order, are:
Level One, Level Two (Certificate in Coaching Football), Level Three (UEFA B Licence), Level Four (UEFA A Licence) and Level Five which is the UEFA Pro Licence.
Individuals have two years in which to complete the Uefa "B" Licence course but in reality it can be done within 12 to 18 months, taking in roughly 120 hours of work, often with a county FA. The course participants deal with development of possession and movement to create space and other tactical issues.
There is also a lot of theory: football, food and fitness, injury identification, sports psychology and player analysis. The participants also take observed coaching sessions.
In the professional league, coaches are expected to have at least the "B" licence.
For many coaches completion of the Level Two course will provide all the skills required to coach at a community level. However, for coaches wishing to coach at the highest level of the game the Level Three - UEFA B Licence - represents the next step.
Individuals with a Level Three qualification, like our own Mafu, are able to find work at Centres of Excellence and Academies. That is a plus, perhaps, for Highlanders as they bid to revive their once vibrant junior policy.
But for individuals who wish to work as either managers or coaches in the professional game, or as youth academy managers a level four - UEFA A Licence - qualification is necessary. And this, we understand takes a full two years to complete.
For coaches wishing to continue their progression to being able to coach at the highest level of the professional game obtaining the Level Five - UEFA Pro Licence - qualification represents the final step. This is a mandatory qualification for managing in the FA Premier League and UEFA competitions.
A course to obtain an UEFA Pro Licence is by invitation only and takes 12 months to complete.
That aside, and as a parting short.
Is it wise for a country to bar its citizens to drive a car in their own country because they are not in possession of a SADC regional driving licence?
Coversely should we bar our own competent citizenry not to coach our own Premier Soccer League clubs because they don't possess a CAF A Licence?
An upsurge in such courses in this country and the exorbitant fees that goes with acquiring such, appears to be raising eyebrows.
Is it all for football development or people making hay while the sun still shines?
We are just being curious; after all they say curiosity killed a cat.
Otherwise we can only demand the proof of having such courses, through the fruits therein.
We are fed up of seeing "qualified" coaches discarding a player today, acquiring the same player barely six months later, and offloading the player again.
Perhaps we need coaches with such qualifications as the UEFA B Licence. And Bosso might be lucky to have stumbled over one.
For feedback:
pmukwazo@yahoo.com, phineas.mukwazo@sundaynews.co.zw, pmukwazo@gmail.com, Whatsapp 0772 682 368 or Face book Phineas Mukwazo.
Source - Sunday Mail
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