Past and current national teams coaches completed a CAF equivalent of Licence ‘A’ assessment course at SAFA House on Friday, 22 November 2013.

 

 

 

The coaches that attended the course are Gordon Igesund, Jomo Sono, Pitso Mosimane, Kenny Ndlazi, Joseph Mkhonza, Mlungisi Ngubane, Mike Mangena, Shakes Mashaba, Augusto Palacios, Trott Moloto, Screamer Tshabalala, Alex Heredia and Clive Barker.

 

 

 

The course was facilitated by renowned CAF instructor, Ben Koufie of Ghana and assisted by former SAFA Technical Director, Serame Letsoaka (who is now Bafana Bafana assistant coach) and acting SAFA Technical Director Fran Hilton-Smith.

 

 

 

“The course went very well because we had mature people taking part. All of them are great individuals in their own right. I have seen the SAFA Technical Master Plan, which is very impressive – but for it to be successful the Association will have to pick the right people to implement it. Individuals gathered here can do a great job. You have groomed them, now make good use of their expertise, engage them so this country will prosper,” said Koufie at the closing ceremony.

 

 

 

”I had the pleasure of watching Bafana Bafana defeat Spain two days ago, and I asked myself if this country has so much talent why are they not among the best. You need to go back and look at what went wrong after you won the 

 

1996 AFCON and then started a serious decline. You have so much capability as a country and I know you can make it back to being the best, and I believe these men who attended this course can assist. They have so much knowledge.“

 

 

 

The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Sport and Recreation, the Honourable Fikile Mbalula, SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan, Vice President Lucas Nhlapo and Head of the Technical Committee Anastasia Tsichlas.

 

 

 

“We have a chance of becoming a top football nation, and what we see here today is a clear indication of what this country can do if we work together. As a country we should not go outside and look for expertise when we have so much here at home. It is important that we use our own to get the right results – not discarding outside coaches as they also have a role to play. But it is only our own who can take this country to dizzy heights,” said Minister Mbalula.

 

 

 

Dr. Jordaan said the coming together of such great footballing minds under one roof was the beginning of finding a lasting solution which will take the country back to the top.

 

 

 

“It is rare that you find such football minds in one room and we really hope that this marks the beginning of getting our football back to the top,” he said.

 

 

 

Hilton-Smith concurred.

 

 

 

“This was a great exercise. There were some great debates and such interactions can only make our game grow. For Africa to be on par with modern football trends, such courses are priceless,” said Hilton Smith.

 

 

 

Some of the topics covered in the course were the physical demands of the modern game and the state of football in South Africa.

 

 

 

Each of the participants also made a presentation.