Local coaches scramble for CAF A licence
Botswana will finally see more coaches obtain the elusive CAF A license as more homegrown trainers enrolled for the course currently underway at Lekidi Football Centre. Up to now, the country only had three CAF A license holders, Philimon Makwengwe, Ben Kgomela, and Losika ‘Six’ Keatlholetswe.
The course, which started this week, will run in stages until next year February and will see 21 local coaches graduate with the sought-after qualification. Of the 21, four will qualify as CAF A license instructors. The course is the first CAF A license course conducted in Botswana and the first part of the exercise will last 10 days.
The CAF A license is the minimum qualification for coaching a national team, in the Premier League as well as in CAF club competitions. Among participants is Zebras coach, Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote, who is expected to be unveiled as the national team handler on a threeyear deal. Under-23 coach, Kaelo
‘Wire’ Kaelo, Botswana Football Association (BFA) technical director, Tshepo Mphukuthi, Odirile ‘China’ Matlhaku, Enos Mmesi, Khalid Niyonzima, Rapelang ‘Razor’ Tsatsilebe, Thaloba Nthaga, Michael Mogaladi, Nelson Setshwane, Oris ‘Boyo’ Radipotsane, Maitumelo Lotlaamoreng and Gadimang Tiiso are among the prominent ‘students’ attending the course. Matshediso Moseki, Ricardo Marape, Mohambi Saulosi, Oitsile Koolese, Vincent Dlamini, Omphetse Setswe and Ditiro Motshegare are also upskilling.
“As part of its continued efforts to develop and equip local coaches with the necessary skills, the association is conducting a 10-day CAF A coaching license course.
The main objective of the course is to provide the participants with a new techno-tactical knowledge and tactics of understanding the game,” the BFA said in a statement this week.
BFA CEO, Mfolo Mfolo told Mmegi Sport that the course was a huge step in the right direction.
The BFA had previously promised to train more elite coaches, but this had hit a brick wall, with the association failing to meet set targets.
We are excited that the talk has now become reality. Football is science and has become more sophisticated of late, thus the CAF A training will bridge a gap (tactical, game management, and player management) for our local coaches as they transverse to compete in Africa,” Mfolo said.
Speaking at the opening of the course on Tuesday, Mfolo urged participants to channel their knowledge towards the grassroots.
“I hope that you will take lessons from this training course and share them with your colleagues at the grassroots. The only way for us to get our game to grow is when we remember to empower the grassroots and youth coaches who are important stakeholders,” he said.
Regarding the training of four CAF A license instructors, Mfolo said it was a milestone.
“This means that the next batch of local coaches will be trained by some of you here today. This is a momentous moment in the development and growth of the game.”