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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
FIFA instructor, Frans Mogashoa, is in Zimbabwe to conduct a five-day Coach Educators Course, which got underway, in Harare yesterday.
ZIFA spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, said 23 coaches, drawn from the country’s 10 provinces, are participating in practical and theory sessions, during the five-day seminar.
South African national, Mogashoa, will facilitate the programme together with ZIFA technical director, Wilson Mutekede. The programme, which runs until Friday, comes at a critical stage for Zimbabwean football, which has been on a hiatus for nearly two years, due to a series of Covid-19 lockdowns.
“Apart from refreshing the minds of the 23 participants selected, the course will allow coaches to learn new skills to enhance their capabilities to train other coaches,” said Gwesela.
“ZIFA strongly believes that continuous professional development of coaches is the bedrock of professionalisation of the local football industry.”
Mogashoa is a holder of a CAF Pro Licence Instructors certificate and is a FIFA Technical Directors Grassroots training expert.
He has worked as SAFA head of coach education and has been the acting technical director of the association since August 2020. His journey as a coaching instructor at SAFA began in 2002 with a number of top coaches studying under him.
He has guided top South African coaches like Owen da Gama, Rhulani Mokwena, Ian Palmer, Thabo Senong, David Notoane and Zimbabwean Kaitano Tembo.
Four years ago, he conducted a CAF A Licence coaching course, in Harare.
Gwesela said the current programme comes at a time when ZIFA have embarked on a massive talent identification and development drive, in marginalised areas.
He said a youth coaching course was also on the horizon, as part of the strategy.
“The training of coach educators and youth coaches complements the association’s firebrand Rural Constituency Outreach programme that seeks to equip rural football stakeholders with equipment, and technical expertise, to professionalise the game in previously marginalised areas.”
The youth coaching course will be held from November 22 to 26.
Online Reporter