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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
YOUNG male and female coaches from across the country are expected to attend a five-day football coaching course that starts tomorrow and ends on Sunday. The course, organised by Cosafa in conjuction with Fifa, is meant to take advantage of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games that will be officially opened by President Mugabe on Thursday.

The young coaches will be asked to analyse and assess the men and women’s matches at the junior football tournament that is organised by Cosafa as part of the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games.

Top Fifa instructors Fran Hilton-Smith and Govinden Thondoo will be the tutors.

“Our mandate is to develop the game of football in Southern Africa and that includes the young coaches across the region.

“This five-day course will be very important in the careers of these coaches just starting out in the game.

“This is just the latest of the many courses when Cosafa has partnered with Fifa to help grow the skills in the region,” Timothy Shongwe, chairman of Cosafa’s Competitions Committee told Cosafa.com.

Cosafa will organise a junior men’s championship at the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games as well as a junior women’s competition to be played concurrently over the 10 days from December 4-14.

Meanwhile, 20 referees from the region, with Zimbabwe providing six, have been named to take charge of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games’ football matches.

The referees will undergo a refresher course tomorrow at a local hotel ahead of the Games.

“It’s fair to say that the standard of referees is directly linked to the overall standard of the game in our region as we can’t develop and grow without international quality match officials.

“For that reason Cosafa has always been at the forefront of assisting match officials in their careers and this AUSC Region 5 Youth Games will be another important step forward for the men and women who take part,” said Shongwe.

Referees

Male: Retselisitsoe Molise (Lesotho), Keren Yocette (Seychelles), Brighton Chimene (Zimbabwe), Allan Simukonda (Zambia), Jonas Shongedi (Namibia), Philani Ncube (Zimbabwe), Thando Ndzandzeka (South Africa)

Female: Letticia Vienna (Swaziland), Tambudzai Tavengwa (Zimbabwe), Queen Manga (Namibia), Akhona Makhalima (South Africa)

Assistant Referees

Male: Sifiso Zondo (Swaziland), Charles Chataika (Malawi), Venancio Zulu (Zimbabwe), James Emile (Seychelles), Teofilo Paulo Mangoi (Mozambique),Victor Kambadzo (Zimbabwe)

Female: Mercy Zulu (Zambia), Faith Mloyi (Zimbabwe), Regina Bernardo (Angola) , Rosa Muchanga (Mozambique)