WATCH: Zisca applauds key appointments as path opens for Caf coaching courses to resume in Zimbabwe

THE Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Association (Zisca) has praised the appointment of a Zifa education officer and technical director as positive steps for local coaches.

Zisca believes that having these two positions filled is a requirement for Caf coach courses to return to Zimbabwe.

Caf courses have not been available in Zimbabwe for almost a decade.

The slow pace of progress has been criticised, but the appointment of Michael Nees as national coach represents a significant stride made by the Zifa Normalisation Committee established last year.

Bekimpilo Nyoni, the Zisca boss, said in an interview in Bulawayo on Tuesday that the appointment of Joseph Sibindi as head of coach education and Jethro Hunidzarira as technical director were positive appointments.

Nyoni said this will pave the way for coaching courses to begin, effectively making Zimbabwean coaches more marketable both inside and outside the country.

Appointments of the chief executive officer, finance boss and technical experts have also been among the significant strides made by the Zifa Normalisation Committee.

“As Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Association, we are happy that there has been progress. We have seen the technical director coming in, we have seen the education officer coming in, and there was no way we could conduct courses without that,” said Nyoni, flanked by his Bulawayo-based secretary-general Oscar Mazhambe.

He said once the two officers are in place, there has to be a syllabus ready for courses.

Sibindi has completed the Caf C module, which is on its way to Caf headquarters in Egypt.

Hopes are that Caf courses will begin once the syllabus has been approved.

“One of the requirements is coming up with a syllabus, and I understand they are making sure everything is in place,” said Nyoni.

He felt that local coaches lost out on opportunities at home and abroad because Zimbabwe had not held any Caf course for almost a decade.

“We are saying these courses should be done as soon as possible. We want to see our coaches employed in other countries,” said Nyoni.

Caf A coaches in Zimbabwe have not renewed their licenses in a long time.

Recently, Hunidzarira and Sibindi met in Harare and held a workshop for coach educators who they exposed to the latest coaching methodologies.

Mazhambe said he was happy that courses will start next week, with the preliminary course for beginners being the Caf D before moving to Caf C.

“We are glad Caf courses have re-started. The entry-level, Level 1 course will equip them ahead of Caf licences, and help the coaches when they get to Caf courses. This is an introductory course. They will have an idea of what to expect. The courses lined up will help our friends refresh,” said Mazhambe.