NFD coaches claim coaching requirements will elevate the game 

There’s a strong belief amongst the coaches in the National First Division (NFD), the second tier of the local game, that the implementation of the club licensing on the coaching side, will improve the quality of the game. 

Recently, the South African Football Association announced that its National Executive Committee (NEC) had passed a resolution that the coaching standards will be implemented across all the divisions in local football, both at amateur and professional ranks as from next season. 

In the Premier Soccer League (PSL), which houses both the Premier Division and the NFD, head coaches will need to have a CAF A license and assistant coaches a CAF B license to be able to sit on the bench. 

Black Leopards head coach Solly Luvhengo belongs to the first group of coaches who got their CAF A license around 2011 in the country and says this is a step in the right direction. 

“I’m one of the first coaches in the country, to do these professional coaching badges, we have been fantastic in South Africa in terms of producing good coaches. 

“And I think it’s high time that the right coaches in this country are given a platform to coach their own teams. I’m not saying that we don’t need to outsource knowledge from outside but let’s also empower our own coaches. 

“The thing is, we stop playing and rush into coaching. Don’t rush into coaching, go and learn, go and get your education, come under someone, and learn under someone. Take time to develop yourself first as a coach, because you cannot develop someone when you are not fully developed yourself as a coach,” said Luvhengo, also a former junior national team coach. 

University of Pretoria head coach Tlisane Motaung is currently doing very well this season with his team in the NFD and is also one of the 25 coaches in the current CAF A License coaching course. 

“This is going to assist big time, this will mean that you will have coaches who are organized and understand the game. They will also understand how to help and develop players. 

“We also need to players that will contribute better at the international level and help our national teams, and for that to be achieved, you need coaches that have badges. This is a great initiative from SAFA. 

“I’m part of the first group of coaches in the return of the CAF A license coaching course, and I’m excited and looking forward to Phase 2 which is starting now in January. It’s a very good course, and I have learned a lot already from it,” said an excited Motaung. 

Rookies in the NFD, Orbit College go to the break two points clear at the top, courtesy of another CAF A license coaching candidate Pogiso Makoye, with his team also playing a beautiful brand of football, mixed with some good tactical approach as well. 

“I think if we want to develop players and produce better football players in South Africa, these new coaching requirements come in handy. 

“One of the biggest challenges in the country is that we get talented players but because the coaches are not qualified, they don’t develop these young boys further. 

“If you check Khoto (Gomolemo), the Khoto that was playing in the DDC (Orlando Pirates) and the one playing for Orbit right now, the boy tactically has improved. You can even see the goal he scored, he now understands the game better and this is also due to the good lessons we get from the CAF A License coaching course,” said Makoye, who is also an IT Manager at the College.