Zimpapers Logo

Geophrey Sifani, Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Association (Zisca) has decried the high fees charged by Zifa for acquiring badges for one to be eligible to coach in Zimbabwe.

Zisca public relations officer Godfrey Paradza said they were not opposed to the requirement of coaches upgrading themselves, but against the fees charged.

The fee for a Caf A licence is pegged at $1,000, while a Caf B licence is $600 and Caf C licence $300.

“We’re happy with their initiative, but they shouldn’t charge these exorbitant fees. The economic hardships do not support such high costs. We don’t have the powers to determine how the office of the technical department works, but we doubt enough consultation was done before the circular,” said Paradza.

He also questioned how local content was being equated to Caf, saying England’s FA Level 3 was recently redesigned to equate the UEFA B licence, which is nationally recognised.

“Why can’t we have our own licensing being equated to that of international? The Border Strikers coach has lost a job with a team he coached to promotion. We can as well equate our standards to promote coaches locally instead of just following others,” he said.

Zifa announced new coaching requirements for the national team, Premier Soccer League, Divisions 1-3, tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools.

According to the requirements, a national team coach must have a minimum of a Caf A licence or better. PSL coaches should have attained a Caf A licence or a Caf B licence and working towards attaining the Caf A licence. Assistant coaches must have at least a Caf C licence.

Goalkeepers’ coaches in the PSL are now required to have a Caf C licence and a goalkeeper coaching certificate.

Division One coaches require a Caf C licence or a Zifa Level 4 certificate. Assistant coaches need at least a Zifa Level 4 certificate.

Division One requirements also apply to coaches in the Second Division and those in tertiary institutions, while the assistants need at least a Caf C licence.

Division 3 coaches should have a Zifa Level 3 certificate and their assistants a Zifa Level 1 qualification.

Secondary school coaches must possess a Zifa Level 2 qualification, while their primary school counterparts must have at least a Level 1 certificate.