CAF, COSAFA show commitment to Zim
WITHOUT much pre-event fanfare, a regional junior football tournament took place in Zimbabwe in December.
Ten countries played a series of matches. Africa has never struggled to perform in junior football tournaments and has previously had age-group world champions.
Zimbabwe has been absent from international football after the suspension by FIFA, but it has now returned to the global football family.
In a brave and encouraging gesture of support and solidarity, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Council for Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) brought the 2023 CAF African Schools Football Championship-COSAFA Qualifiers to Harare as the year ended.
The tournament was a qualifier for the African Schools Championships to be held later this year.
The event was, however, highly significant.
There were seven events aimed at upskilling players, coaches and referees that were held on the sidelines of the regional tournament to boost the experience of participants from around the region.
A CAF-accredited coaching D-Licence course was conducted for 36 aspirant tacticians to set them on the path to a career in the dugout.
It was led by Namibian coach Timothy Tjongarero.
In addition, there was also a two-day coaching seminar for 48 participants.
Tjongarero also delivered a clinic at Harare High School in Mbare for 185 learners.
“COSAFA referees manager and FIFA instructor Felix Tangawarima led a workshop for young referees who have been officiating at this year’s COSAFA Qualifiers. There were 31 male and female participants who Tangawarima hopes will be the future when it comes to the region’s elite referees,” said CAF in a statement.
“A safeguarding workshop for 35 participants was also held to not only provide them with information on the social impact of football, but also explaining the measures CAF have put in place to create a safe environment for the children.”
In addition, Dr Thulani Ngwenya, who serves on the CAF Medical Committee, led an emergency medical workshop for 34 participants.
Finally, there was a workshop for young reporters, which was a mixture of theory and practicals, over the three days of the qualifiers.
COSAFA has always had a strong bond with Zimbabwe.
When the regional body launched its regional football tournament, Zimbabwe embraced it. The Warriors went on to lift the trophy six times, a record surpassed only by Zambia, which won seven titles.
Zimbabwe’s last triumph in the tournament came in 2018, under the tutelage of coach Sunday Chidzambwa, who also won his fourth competition — a record for a coach.
The Warriors defeated Zambia 4-2 in the decider.
They also beat Chipolopolo 3-1 in the 2017 final.
However, a weakened side could not repeat the feat in 2019, when Zambia got their revenge in the semi-finals. Zimbabwe ended up in third place. So, overall, the decision to bring the junior football tournament to Harare speaks volumes about the commitment to reintegrate Zimbabwe into the regional and continental football family.
It is certainly a grand and welcome gesture.