Sead Ramovic - Put CAF A & B licensed coaches at the lower level of the game

Ramovic’s statement comes hot on the heels of SAFA’s National Executive Committee’s (NEC’s) resolution this past weekend about the implementation of coaching standards in the country at all levels of the game as from next season.

READ: SAFA approves implementation of coaching standards in SA from 2024/2025 season

"To be the best you need education. So, to educate yourself it takes time. For me, if you ask me how long it took to have the UEFA Pro, seven years. It's not only about the education, it's about you educating yourself that the players don't get injured. You have to know about everything to improve the players to make sure that they don't get injured," Ramovic said. 

"If a team has 10 injured players with hamstrings, then you have to ask yourself if you know enough about these kinds of things as a coach. So, it's complex. Also, for under 15 you have to have education, coaches minimum CAF B for under 15, under 17 CAF A, why not? Then you will improve."

The country is not short of talent, but the lack of quality coaching and scarcity of highly qualified coaches have always been pointed out as the Achilles heel of producing quality footballers. Ramovic, a UEFA Pro licensed coach born in Serbia but schooled in Germany, says it’s not only about qualifications but also about coaches continuously upgrading their level of education and knowledge of the game.

"And then we can talk about playing from the back because then you get the players from under 18, they are top, they are well educated and it's easier to player with them. So, all in all, I think it's more complicated but again, we won't know because it's all about the game. I apologies because you asked me and this is my honest answer."