Shabba appointed Mutare City coach
NEWLY promoted Premiership side Mutare City have appointed Joseph Takaringofa as their head coach on a one-year contract for the upcoming season in line with Zifa’s club licensing system.
The former Buffaloes gaffer takes over from Kennedy Kachara who led the team to the Premier League.
Kachara has been demoted for not having the requisite qualifications to lead a topflight team and will be the assistant coach in the new set up. Mutare City club spokesperson Clayton Masekesa confirmed the latest appointment.
“Yes we have appointed him on a one year contract. He will be assisted by those who were with the team when we gained promotion for the purposes of continuity.
“His appointment was because he has the needed qualifications to be a Premier League coach and we are also confident of his abilities,” said Masekesa.
Takaringofa, who is a Caf A License holder, was happy with the appointment saying he is ready for the challenge and to compete on the same footing with the traditional giants.
“Football is our job and we are always ready for the challenge. My task will not be to fight relegation though we want to survive relegation. My job is to build a team that can compete with the best in the league,” said Takaringofa.
Meanwhile Zifa yesterday said they will not compromise on the coaching requirements as part of the gradual implementation of the Caf Club Licensing in Zimbabwe. The association’s Communication and Competitions Manager Xolisani Gwesela yesterday reiterated that no coach would be allowed to sit on the bench in the PSL without Caf A Licence.
“Zifa would like to remind all football stakeholders that it will continue to enforce adherence to club licensing regulations in line with proposals by Fifa and the Confederation of African Football.
“As was the case in the 2017 football season, football clubs’ technical teams should be made up of suitably qualified personnel, a move meant to infuse professionalism in the local game.
“Standardisation of coaches’ qualifications require all Premier Soccer League coaches and their assistants to have attained a Caf A licence, while head coaches practising in the regional Division One leagues should be Caf B Licence holders.
“Coaches who attained local Level 3 and 4 certificates before they were scrapped off the local curriculum can use those certificates to practice in the regional league.
“Assistant coaches in the Division One league should have at least a Level 2 local badge.
“Divisions Two, Three and Four coaches should be in possession of a Caf C Licence or the local Level 3 or 4, and the same barometer applies to coaches in tertiary institutions.
“A grassroots coaching certificate and a local Level 2 licence are prerequisites for junior football coaches as well as those working with pupils at primary and secondary school level. Goalkeepers’ coaches will be eligible to practice if they have attained at least a local Level 2 coaching qualification.”
The Zifa spokesman said team managers are also obliged to have attained at least a football administration certificate or alternatively be in possession of any coaching qualification.
Gwesela said all technical team members should submit two passport size photos to the Zifa registration offices for the purposes of accreditation for the 2018 season.
“All officials will be furnished with accreditation badges, and the badge will be a prerequisite for officials to be granted permission to sit on the bench during the 2018 season.”