Relief as SAFA roll out CAF A Diploma 

Local coaches will heave a sigh of relief with news that SAFA is set to roll out the first phase of the CAF A Diploma Coaching Course next month.

In a circular sent out to all SAFA regions, the association invited candidates to provide documents, including a motivation letter, their CV, an activity report for the last five years and a copy of a CAF B certificate. 

Successful candidates will be required to pay R7000 once admitted to the course. The closing date for applications is 22 October 2022.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR SA COACHES

“The South African Football Association has planned to roll out the first phase of the above coaching course in the period November/December 2022,” read the circular.

The news will come as a relief to many top-flight coaches who are currently unable to sit on the bench for CAF competitions.

Recently, Khabo Zondo and Dan Malesela had to watch their Royal AM from the terraces as their qualifications did not meet CAF standards.

Cape Town City’s Eric Tinkler was faced with a similar dilemma. CAF’s rules stipulate that head coaches in continental club competitions must hold a CAF A or Pro license. 

Their assistants should have the CAF B. Of course, coaches who do not have qualifications are still allowed to be registered team officials.

They can participate in official activities of the team during the CAF inter-clubs except sitting on the bench on matchday.

The activities include conducting training sessions and interviews before and after the match.

While a coach who does not meet CAF’s qualification standards is allowed to communicate with the technical bench using alternative forms, he may not talk to the infield players. 

If properly accredited, the coach can accompany the team in the dressing room for pre-match, half-time and full-time talk.

Efforts to get a comment from SAFA’s head of Coaching Education were fruitless as his phone rang unanswered countless times.