Aspiring coaches converge for Zifa course

THIRTY-EIGHT aspiring coaches are attending a Zifa Level One coaching course that is underway at Raylton Sports Club in Bulawayo.

The seven-day course started on Tuesday and ends next Monday.

Former Harare City and Bulawayo City coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube together with Oscar Mazhambe are instructing the course.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport at Raylton Sports Club yesterday, Zifa technical director Wilson Mutekede, who was watching the aspiring coaches going through the technical aspects of the game, said he was impressed with the turnout.

“I’m happy that we have former players, teachers, academy coaches and even a cricket coach and squash player in attendance.

“It’s a beginners’ course targeting grassroots soccer coaches as they are an integral part of the development of the game in the country,” said Mutekede.

He said his technical committee aims to attain a ratio of one qualified coach for every one hundred school kids in the foreseeable future.

The aspiring coaches will be taken through the theoretical and practical aspects of the game before sitting for an examination on the last day of the course.

“On Tuesday and yesterday (Wednesday) they were in class learning about football techniques such as ball control, passing in all its forms, heading the ball, turning, shooting and defending and now it’s time to apply all that on the pitch.

“The instructors will assess the participants as the course progresses before they sit for an examination on the last day,” he said.

Meanwhile, a six-day goalkeepers’ coaching course will be conducted in Kwekwe next week.

“We felt Kwekwe is a central location since it’s a national course and we expect goalkeepers to attend and attain the necessary skills,” said Mutekede. — @ RaymondJaravaza