Locally designed CAF D License course at last

TEBOHO JAFETA

MASERU – Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) launched the first locally developed CAF D License nine-day coaching course at the Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena in Maseru this week. Up to 31 participants from Qacha’s Nek attended.

Officially opening the course on Wednesday this week, LeFA Deputy Secretary General, Chris Bullock, said the day marks a very important day in football history in the mountain kingdom.

Bullock continued: “After four years, we are back with our CAF coaching courses. I am looking forward to seeing us produce the best coaches, not only in terms of quantity but also in quality.

“The course is going to be done differently this time, as we will use our local instructors. I thank Lehlohonolo Thotanyana for facilitating the occurrence of this course and I would also like to thank Motebang Makhetha for developing the coaching manuals.

“DIFA Qacha’s Nek Second Vice-President, Lepolesa Mathatela, commented that he was sent to accompany his district participants and ensure that they arrive at the right place. He further added that it is through coaches that local football will develop.”

“LeFA’s mandate is to have many coaches in the country and it is through you that we will achieve that. I wish all of you to pass and go back to Qacha’s Nek to develop football. Football will grow if you work hard,” he noted.

LeFA Coaches Education Officer, Lehlohonolo Thotanyana, said the 31 participants are all from Qacha’s Nek district, adding that the course was initially scheduled for Qacha but had to be shifted to Maseru due to some administrative matters.

“There are 31 participants from Qacha’s Nek, inclusive of three women, who will be at Bambatha for the nine-day of course. CAF D License is the entry point where every coach begins except for those who played for the national team, who start at C License,” he said.

Thotanyana further highlighted that Qacha’s Nek was the first district to make a request for the course and added that Mafeteng and Berea are yet to benefit from the course as they have already sent their requests. The course is instructed by Makhetha and Tjamela Tjamela.

According to Makhetha, a holder of CAF D License qualifies to be head coach at C Division and a holder of CAF C License qualifies to be head coach at B Division, while a B License graduate is eligible to coach A Division team as head coach but can only be assistant coach for a premier league team. In the premier league, only A License holders are eligible to be head coaches while the Pro License means one is qualified to coach a national team.