THE football landscape in Mashonaland Central province is currently undergoing a transformative shift as 38 local coaches immerse themselves in the latest CAF D coaching course.
Held in Bindura, the programme marks a significant milestone in Zifa’s nationwide initiative to standardise and elevate coach education.
Led by esteemed CAF and Fifa coach educator Tafadzwa Mashiri, the course has drawn participants from across the province’s diverse football structures.
This Bindura leg represents the 11th session conducted by Zifa since November 2025, signalling an aggressive push to ensure no province is left behind in the quest for technical excellence.
Zifa Mashonaland Central chairman Edward Mutukwa emphasised that the province lobbied for this training to eliminate the “kick and rush” culture and instil professional fundamentals at the developmental level.
“It is vital that our coaches are equipped with the requisite skills, especially at the grassroots level,” Mutukwa noted.
“By imparting these basics early, we ensure players grow up with technical proficiency rather than relying on unrefined tactics.”
The urgency of the course is also fuelled by new Zifa regulations.
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A recent communiqué mandates that all Division 2 coaches should hold a minimum of a CAF D licence.
“This is our first course of the year, and we are aiming for another before year-end to ensure 100% compliance across our teams,” Mutukwa added, highlighting the presence of secondary school students in the program who are being groomed to develop young talent within Division 2 structures.
Since the initiative kicked off in late 2025, over 400 coaches have been certified nationwide.
The CAF D licence serves as the essential entry point for those working with Primary and Secondary Schools, Junior Academies Community Clubs and Developmental Leagues.
The curriculum focuses on modern session planning, age-appropriate training, player safety, and the ethical responsibilities of a mentor.
Zifa technical director Dominique Niyonzima, who visited the Bindura session, reiterated that the association’s long-term success depends on the quality of its teachers.
“Coach education is the heartbeat of Zimbabwean football development,” Niyonzima stated.
“If we want stronger clubs and more competitive national teams, we must invest in the people teaching the game every day.
“We aren’t just handing out certificates; we are providing the tools to nurture talent properly.”
The momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
As the Bindura session concludes, the Zifa education caravan heads to Gweru today, with a subsequent stop scheduled for Hwange in Matabeleland North next week.
