Concerns over state of goalkeeper coaches in the PSL - Alex Heredia

Information that SABC Sport has gathered is that goalkeeper coaches at most PSL clubs both in the Premier Division and the National First Division (NFD), don’t have the required coaching qualifications for this level.

Heredia, who originally comes from Argentina, is hoping that soon they would be able to address this challenge, with the return of the CAF A and B license coaching courses.

"We have quality goalkeepers, we have quality goalkeeper coaches, unfortunately with the new situation, the licensing, the goalkeepers need to have a certain level of coaching like a C license, B license, A license," Heredia said.

"This becomes a little bit of a problem because the majority of the PSL and NFD goalkeeper coaches haven't got the proper licenses. I know SAFA, CAF, I work for CAF in the new system and I hope very soon, everybody can be approached to the different licenses."

Some goalkeeper coaches even in some big clubs in the PSL, have still not completed CAF C licenses and are nowhere near close to the CAF A and B licenses, which are the requirements in CAF inter club tournaments. 

Heredia addresses the challenges of goalkeepers who retire from playing and go straight into coaching without equipping themselves.

"The goalkeeper coach can be an ex-goalkeeper or people who played well and is well recognised in the PSL. But they need to go through the process of coaching. The process of coaching needs to be implemented first through CAF and we are working on it. 

I think we are quite close to creating the new basic goalkeeper coach courses related to the coaching courses, the licenses, A, B, C licenses."

SABC Sport has also learnt that plans are in place to modify the CAF A, B and C licenses in the country, whose Convention is on the verge of being approved by CAF, to accommodate goalkeeper coaching in their syllabus. Heredia believes that this new licensing system is going to help to address some of these challenges.

"Well, it will help because the licenses, A, B, C licenses will give the structure, and plus goalkeeping coaching courses would be very specific in giving structures. Then, goalkeeper coaches will produce a better system and better working structure. 

Instead of just kicking the ball and making them train but it needs to be a process. Education is what really makes a difference."