The CAF A coaching course has commenced at Mpira Village in Blantyre, offering top local coaches a chance to attain the highly sought-after badge. This development marks a significant milestone for Malawian football, as the course has not been held in the country for over a decade. The National Football Coaches Association (NFCA) has hailed the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for organizing the course, which is a crucial step towards enhancing coaching standards.
The absence of the CAF A licence has previously hindered the participation of top local coaches in international assignments. Notable coaches such as Lovemore Fazili, Andrew Chikhosi, Peter Mgangira, and Enos Chatama have faced challenges due to the lack of this qualification. Recently, FAM announced that Fazili's contract as Scorchers' coach would not be renewed due to his ineligibility for the national team coaching position at the 2027 Fifa Women's World Cup.
NFCA chairperson Aubrey Nankhuni expressed his excitement about the course's resumption, citing its importance for Malawian coaches. He noted that most top coaches lack the A licence, which is a requirement for international competitions. Nankhuni emphasized that the course will provide a pool of 25 coaches with the potential to attain the badge, marking a significant development for Malawian football.
CAF coaches instructor John Kaputa is leading the course, having previously taken the participants through the CAF B licence course. He expressed his enthusiasm for training the group and mentioned that he will work on the pro-licence course, which will further enhance Malawi's football development.
One of the participants, Masters FC head coach Peter Mponda, is thrilled about the opportunity to add another feather to his coaching cap. He described the challenge as exciting and expressed his eagerness to participate in the course. Other notable participants include Flames assistant coach Pritchard Mwansa, Chatama, Chikhosi, Mgangira, and former Flames players Joseph Kamwendo, Jimmy Zakazaka, and Robert Ng'ambi.
The course has attracted a diverse group of participants, including four female coaches: Carolyne Phiri, Chisomo Nkhoma, Linda Kasenda, and Karen Chawula. FAM has stated that the return of the course is a significant step towards improving coaching standards in the country, which will ultimately enhance the performance of Malawian teams in international competitions.
The resumption of the CAF A coaching course in Malawi has been welcomed by the football community, with many stakeholders expressing their optimism about its impact on the sport. With 25 coaches participating, the course is expected to have a positive effect on Malawian football, enabling coaches to compete at the international level and potentially leading to improved results in future tournaments.
Key points
- The CAF A coaching course has resumed in Malawi after a decade, offering 25 coaches the opportunity to attain the highly sought-after badge.
- The course is a significant step towards enhancing coaching standards in Malawi, enabling coaches to participate in international competitions.
- Notable coaches, including Lovemore Fazili and Andrew Chikhosi, have faced challenges due to the lack of the CAF A licence, which is a requirement for international assignments.
