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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER encountering challenges upon his return to coach domestic football, former Warriors assistant coach Saul Chaminuka can now rest easy knowing he will be able to sit on the bench for the first time this weekend when Black Rhinos host reigning champions FC Platinum in a Castle Lager Premiership match at the National Sports Stadium.
The travelled coach is among the six local coaches, including Highlanders legend Madinda Ndlovu, former Manica Diamonds coach Johanisi Nhumwa, Gift Kagogoda and recently-appointed GreenFuel coach Rodwell Dhlakama, who are attending a CAF A refresher course that ends at the ZIFA Village in Harare tomorrow.
This brings the total number of coaches that have gone through the Refresher course to 48, after the majority participated in the initial course conducted by CAF coaching instructor Honour Janza of Zambia.
ZIFA technical director Wilson Mutekede yesterday said the six coaches have gone through the same programme that was delivered by Janza, aimed at validating CAF A coaching licences.
According to Article 32 of the CAF coaching convention, a CAF A coaching licence is valid for three years after the year of issue or renewal, and a refresher course is needed to validate the badge afterwards.
“According to the set standards, all coaches need to update their coaching badges from CAF A to CAF C and we opened the doors to all coaches that had the CAF A Licence to attend the refresher course that was held before the start of the season.
“Unfortunately, due to some reasons, some coaches were not able to be part of the class then. So, basically, what we are having is a mop-up, giving opportunities to those that missed the first course.
“It’s in line with the request we had from the clubs through the Premier Soccer League. Only six managed to turn up for this Refresher course even though we had made it open for all who were interested,” said Mutekede.
Clubs like Black Rhinos and GreenFuel felt disadvantaged after their new coaches Saul Chaminuka and Rodwell Dhlakama were not allowed to sit on the bench since they did not attend the initial refresher course.
Dhlakama was ejected from the bench on his first assignment as GreenFuel beat Cranborne Bullets 1-0 at the national Sports Stadium. He missed two games while Chaminuka was denied the opportunity in Rhinos’ last three games.
Madinda Ndlovu had also missed the first refresher course before his appointment as Highlanders’ first assistant coach recently.
The key elements that the coaches are going through at the Refresher course include game situations, analysis of team performance and programmes, scientific approach to football, periodisation and dugout management.
Mutekede believes there have been some positives in the quality of the game this season and attributed the turnaround to the refresher course.
“The standard of the game has improved. Unlike last season, the fans this year have been coming to the stadium and it’s a vote of confidence to the game.
“There is a lot of competition, there isn’t one or two teams that have completely broken away from the rest if you look at the log standings.
“Also, the feedback that we have been getting from the teams and the coaches has been encouraging in terms of management, problem solving skills and the professional conduct of our coaches.
“So from that perspective, I think we are seeing the positive effects of the need to refresh,” said Mutekede.
Fixtures
Today: Highlanders v Dynamos (Barbourfields), Herentals v Hwange (NSS)
Saturday: Black Rhinos v FC Platinum (NSS), Bulawayo Chiefs v Cranborne Bullets (Luveve), Manica Diamonds v Yadah (Gibbo)
Sunday: CAPS United v Simab Bhora (NSS), Triangle v Sheasham (Gibbo), Highlanders v GreenFuel (Barbourfields), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Dynamos (Baobab)
Monday: ZPC Kariba v Chicken Inn (NSS)
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