Zimbabwe soccer coaches to wear badges during matches

FOOTBALL coaches will this year be required to wear their badges during matches.

The badges show the level of qualification of a coach. In a circular, written by Zifa acting chief executive officer Joseph Mamutse and sent to affiliates, Level 1-4 coaches will have to fork out $10 for a badge while holders of Caf C to A licences will fork out $15 for the badge.

The circular states the badges have to be visible at all times. Zifa communications manager, Xolisani Gwesela, said they would be enforcing the measure as part of meeting Club Licensing requirements. He said it is standard procedure and should have been in force long before.

The move comes after Zifa implemented the coaches' standardisation which set coach qualifications and leagues they can operate in.

According to the new coach standardisation only gaffers that have attained Caf A would be eligible to be head coach and assistant of Premier League teams while one needs Caf B or Level 3 or 4 to coach a team plying in Division One and 2, 3 and 4 coaches need Caf C or Level 3 or 4, a similar requirement for those coaching at tertiary level.

A coach at junior level and at primary and secondary schools needs to have completed a Level 2 or grassroots certificate.