Legends from Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns as well as three DStv Premiership coaches have been enrolled in the new CAF A Licence course, which will start later this month.
After years of now top-level coaching courses, which left several Premier Soccer League coaches in the stands while their team played in CAF competitions, the South African Football Association has finally made progress in offering the much-needed qualifications.
“This prestigious course will be divided into four phases and requires a total of 200 hours of study. Among the selected batch of coaches from 65 applications, a total of 25 participants can now look forward to earning their coveted CAF A badges by June 2024,” SAFA stated.
SAFA Technical Director Walter Steenbok added: “We are extremely excited about the upcoming course and believe that the Association has taken a big step forward by being back in the convention.
“CAF regulations stipulate that Head Coaches must possess either a Pro or CAF A license before sitting on benches during continental competitions like the Champions League and the Confederations Cup, leading us towards empowering our local talented coaches.
“It has been six years since we conducted CAF B and A course in South Africa, however, we have managed to get accreditation and satisfied the new manuals’ requirements of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).”
Among the 25 candidates are Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler, Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker and SuperSport United’s Gavin Hunt.
There are also several legends on the course, including the likes of Godfrey Sapula, Jabulani Mendu, Sailor Tshabalala, among others.
Below are all 25 coaches who were accepted into the course:
- Alliance Kubayi
- Alex Zondi
- Bilton Musonda
- Boebie Solomons
- Bongani Manzini
- Carol Kanyemba
- Dennis Makinka
- Eric Tinkler
- Gavin Hunt
- Godfrey Sapula
- Grant de Smidt
- Jabulani Mendu
- Kabelo Malapane
- Lunga Ngwane
- Marcus Mashilo
- Monde Hlatshwayo
- Nkosana Mabhena
- Pogiso Makhoye
- Sailor Tshabalala
- Steve Barker
- Tiro Van Rooyen
- Tlisane Motaung
- Thulani Mthimkulu
- Wesley Sergel
- Zane Ryklief
