By Micheal Madyira
More South African coaches will be eligible to take charge of continental games as the ongoing CAF A Diploma coaching course nears completion.
For nearly six years, Safa was not eligible to host elite coaching courses, but was readmitted to the CAF Convention in 2023.
The current course is in its third phase and is expected to be completed in June.
Candidates in the ongoing class include big names like SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt, Steve Barker, Bobbie Solomons, Eric Tinkler and Mamelodi Sundowns legend Godfrey Sapula.
In recent years, South African coaches with much-fancied Uefa badges or CAF B holders had to apply for exemptions to be allowed to sit on the bench in CAF games.
CAF coaching instructor Honor Janza is assessing the current class and is baffled by why South Africa has not been able to host elite coaching courses.
“It is not right that South Africa was not in the convention for so many years and it is important to note that when member associations do not comply with the CAF regulations, football suffers,”
“A country like South Africa has too much to offer not to empower its people. This is a country that hosted the first ever Fifa World Cup on African soil.”
Janza expects Safa to be fit for the CAF Pro Licence, which is the highest offered on the continent.
“When you look at African football, the countries in the north are far ahead because they are empowering and educating their coaches,” said the former Zambia coach.
“They are hosting the CAF Pro Licence, and when countries like South Africa do not do such, it is the whole Southern African region that suffers.”
However, despite Safa not being able to host elite coaching courses, local coaches continue to dominate the Premier Soccer League.
Pictured above: SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt pays attention in a CAF A coaching diploma class
Image source: Safa
