Sharif bounces back at CAF
JUST over a year after he waved goodbye to the Warriors, Sharif Mussa has bounced into the game with the Harare business executive being one of two Zimbabweans chosen by CAF to undergo a high-level General Coordinator’s course in Egypt.
The former Warriors manager was selected by CAF together with ZIFA communications and competitions manager, Xolisani Gwesela, for the workshop that took place at the 6th October City just outside Cairo.
While Gwesela has always been involved in the game courtesy of his roles at the national association, it was Mussa who had appeared to have been lost to the mainstream game in the wake of the Warriors’ failed mission at the 2017 AFCON finals in January last year.
Mussa has since leaving the Warriors manager’s post retreated to the quieter environment of the Harare Professionals Soccer League where his club Universals play.
But the man, who holds the record of having been the only member of the Warriors’ technical crews to have featured at all three Zimbabwe’s Nations Cup appearances, resurfaced on the mainstream football arena last week as he broke new ground and joined a host of administrators from across the continent for the General Coordinators’ workshop in Egypt.
Mussa was naturally delighted at having been picked by CAF for this demanding role in which he will have more than double the responsibilities than those he had been accustomed to in his long spell with the Warriors.
FIFA in a brief explanation on the role of a general co-ordinator indicate that:
“A coordinator’s working life consists of painstaking attention to detail, combined with to-the-second timing of the different stages before a match.
“The coordinator must always ensure nothing is left to chance, from the location of the morning meetings to the colours of the shirts . . . from the doping controls to the procedure at the moment of the teams’ entry onto the pitch. Every aspect is carefully planned, including possible emergency situations,’’ wrote FIFA on their website.
The CAF general coordinators will also undertake similar responsibilities in matches under the auspices of the continental soccer body such as the Champions League, Confederation Cup, African Cup of Nations and CHAN assignments.
Mussa was naturally elated at being recognised by CAF and selected for the sojourn in Egypt.
“I am humbled at having been selected from among many Zimbabwean administrators and even more around Africa. I think CAF also looked at my contribution to the game in Zimbabwe and felt that I could help add value to their competitions as a general coordinator.
“I hope that this could be a start of bigger things to come and after that I can fly the Zimbabwe flag high in whatever task I am given whether it is Champions League, CHAN or Confederation Cup matches.
“It will no doubt be a mammoth task in light of the huge responsibilities being placed now on general coordinators,’’ Mussa said.
Mussa’s task could also be made much easier by the fact that he is multi-lingual as he can speak nine languages.
Gwesela, just like Mussa, was happy with the recognition bestowed on him by CAF.
“I am very humbled to be invited by CAF to attend such a prestigious workshop that will go a long way in improving our skills in the general management and organisation of matches at both local and continental level.
“Football has undergone a revolution and there is need for continuous learning and sharing of ideas.
“Proper match organisation is the hallmark of professionalism in our beautiful game,’’ Gwesela said.
During their stay in Egypt, Mussa and his fellow participants were also taken on a tour of CAF’s newly-established Match Command Centre, which will serve as the heart of information for all CAF competitions and events.
The continental body also indicated that personnel from the relevant CAF Departments will be on hand to monitor the games.