THE Zifa secretariat and the board are headed for a showdown as it has emerged that the latter has not okayed the Caf A Licence prerequisite qualification for Premier Soccer League (PSL) coaches for the 2015 season.
FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER An impeccable source from the board yesterday rubbished the directive from the Zifa secretariat that coaches without the Caf A badge would not be allowed to sit on the bench while chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze remained adamant that it was the resolution that had been made.
The source said there was no need for coaches and clubs to panic as the Zifa board or assembly had not approved that directive. “It is nonsense,” the source said.
“These people are causing alarm and despondency, but there is no need to panic. It is utter rubbish. The board has not sat down and approved that and neither has the Zifa assembly.
“It is wishful thinking. You cannot have the Caf A Licence coach done in July and then six months down the line you say all coaches are required to have that badge. In any case, there are still outstanding issues because even the appointment of the technical director (Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe) was not approved by the board.”
Jongwe, whose rise to the position has been questioned, was quoted in some sections of the media having said the highest course done in the country becomes standard and no coach without those qualifications would be allowed to coach at the highest level.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela on Sunday told this publication that it was now a requirement for a coach to have the Caf A Licence to sit on the bench in the 2015 Castle Lager PSL season.
“It is a requirement that all coaches in the PSL should have a Caf A Licence in terms of the club licensing regulations,” he said.
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“The PSL has been informed and we will not register any coach who does not have this requirement.”
That position was reiterated by his boss Mashingaidze yesterday.
“We have sent a circular and it has gone out to all affiliates and it’s now operational,” he said.
“It’s all a matter of implementation. It is part of our four-year plan at Zifa, Caf A for PSL and Caf B for First Division and that has been approved by the board. Those with higher qualifications from Europe will be accredited pending that they do a local course of this nature (Caf A).”
Highlanders’ newly-appointed coach Bongani Mafu holds a Uefa B badge, while Dynamos’ David Mandigora and FC Platinum’s Norman Mapeza have just done the Caf A Licence course and await results.
Triangle’s Biggie Zuze, newly-promoted Tsholotsho FC’s Lizwe Sweswe and Flame Lily’s Nesbert Saruchera also just attended the course. Castle Lager PSL coach of the year with ZPC Kariba Saul Chaminuka, and How Mine’s Luke Masomere await reassessment after failing to make it in July.
Another team that is affected is Mutare-based Buffaloes, coached by Moses Chunga who does not have the Caf A Licence and Chicken Inn’s Joey Antipas.
Another Zifa board member was not amused by the move to bar coaches saying: “This is being said by those who failed as coaches.
“Clubs should determine who they want to employ. I don’t think the (Zifa) board will entertain this. Some coaches are old and they only need refresher courses. Did the board ever approve the issue of coaches’ qualifications? I will fight this in the board. Even John (Phiri, board member development) is not being consulted.”
