By Sports Reporter
ZAMBIA’s 2012 Africa Cup winning skipper Christopher Katongo is among the 30 candidates undergoing the CAF B licence course which has attracted individuals from across the borders.
Katongo is joined by other former footballers who includes Dears Kakunta, Dennis Banda, Henry Banda, Lawrence Lubinda, Nicholas Zulu, Lewington Mujembe and Keagan Phiri.
Katongo is a holder of a CAF C licence which made it eligible for him to attend the course which is examinable in theory and practice and requires candidates to be fairly academically proficient.
Meanwhile, FAZ president Andrew Kamanga says it remains his executive’s prime objective to invest heavily in coach education to help develop the game.
During the official opening of the CAF B course, Kamanga said while he was excited that the course attracted interest from people across the borders, he expected that Zambians should take more interest in the coaching programmes.
“It is particularly exciting that we have had a lot of international interest in this programme which speaks to the value of this undertaking. While we appreciate that we have been able to accommodate a few candidates beyond our borders, our desire is to widen the knowledge pool of Zambian coaches qualified to take up various coaching roles in our game,” he said.
“It has not been easy to get the approval to hold this course but through the tireless efforts of FAZ, through the technical directorate we are happy that we have finally been able to hold this course. With the increased number of qualified coaches, we expect that will reflect in the quality of the coaching methods.”
Kamanga said FAZ was not only training coaches locally but also sending others outside for programmes that could widen their knowledge pool.
CAF Instructor Sunday Kayuni said he is looking forward to having a meeting where the impact of the coaching courses is evaluated.
And Kayuni said that he felt appreciated for his contribution to the game for repeatedly being honoured to teach emerging coaches but hoped that the impact of the programmes can be evaluated.
And Buildcon FC coach Nchimunya Mweetwa who is one of the candidates said; “If you look at where Zambian football is going, we need a lot of educated coaches. CAF B has come at the right time, for me and the other participants who will be undergoing this training, we really need to enhance our coaching so that we can help the future stars of Zambian football.”
And Simon Marange of Orlando Pirates in South Africa is confidentl that the knowledge obtained will help to mould better future stars.
