Chronicle Editor
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA have reportedly cleared Bulawayo Chiefs coach Thulani Sibanda to carry out his duties despite him not having a Caf A coaching licence.
Sibanda, a holder a Caf B as well as Scottish C coaching licence is said to have recently been given the green light to coach Chiefs in the
Premier Soccer League. Thuts, as the coach is known in football circles also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Science and Coaching from the National University of Science and Technology where he graduated last year.
Zifa communications and competitions manager, Xolisani Gwesela confirmed that Sibanda had been granted an exemption to coach in the PSL. Gwesela did not elaborate on the circumstances which led to the Chiefs mentor being given the green light to give instructions to the Chiefs players from the touchline.
Last Saturday, when Chiefs defeated Black Rhinos 1-0 in a league encounter at Luveve Stadium, Sibanda spoke to the media after the match as the Amakhosi Amahle head coach, something he actually put an emphasis on.
Sibanda early this year quit Chiefs when the club decided to hire Joseph Sibindi in line with Zifa’s requirements for coaches. Chiefs announced at that time that Sibanda had sought a more prominent role at another club. Amakhosi Amahle rehired him weeks later as a physical trainer.
Farai Tavachera has been the Chiefs coach since Sibindi quit the club early into the season.
Zifa requires PSL coaches and their assistants to be in possession of Caf A licences. There has however, been an outcry from those without this qualification since the football mother body last held a Caf A course in January 2017, which means those who did Caf B at the end of 2016 have not been able to upgrade their qualifications.
@Mdawini_29
Online Reporter